classixuk writes

This will be my first year looking after an apple tree and I have so
many questions. How do I know when the fruit is ready to pick?

Lift the apple gently - if ripe it will part from the stem.
They won't all ripen at once - the ones that get more sun will ripen
first.
If you start getting more than the odd windfall, they're probably ready
to pick.

Remember apples need a pollinator (another apple tree) to set fruit -
the fact that yours set fruit last year means you have a pollinator
within reach, but if you see one of your neighbours getting rid of their
apple trees, you might start thinking of getting a second apple tree for
yourself (needs to be one that flowers at the same time)

Is it true that the apples I have growing in my garden are unique to my
tree? If I have grown a new variety, can I name it after my cat? If my
tree produces lots of fruit this year, how could I share my tree with
others who would like an apple tree like mine (grows well and produces
good edible fruit without being cared for at all and in a cold climate;
Liverpool England).

Grafting on to a rootstock - the resulting tree will be identical
genetically.

Will the apple tree eventually "strangle" my claret tree? If I move
home can I take my apple tree with me?

Not easily, so you may want to learn how to graft, so you can take a
grafted youngster with you.

How do I stop the birds from pecking at every apple (half the stock is
fine, but I would like some apples for myself too)?

Not easy. But the damage doesn't penetrate - just cut it away with a
knife the same way as you'd cut the eyes out of a potato.

--
Kay