"Mike Buckley" wrote in message
...
Hi All

We moved into a house last July, and I was pleased to get a good crop of
(I think) Discovery apples from one tree. The second tree also a Discovery
I think was covered in aphids and only had a couple of apples on it. I
sprayed the aphids off with a hosepipe and looked forward to two crops in
2010. It doesn't look like it though, the healthy tree is still healthy
and has masses of blossom on it, the aphids tree doesn't appear to have
aphids but does appear to have powdery mildew. I've had a go at spraying
it with some stuff from the local garden centre but there's very little
blossom and no sign of any coming. The mildew is only on bits of the tree,
and it does look healthier than last year now I've removed the affected
parts. Ladybirds in attendance hopefully dealing with aphids.

Is there anything I can do to help this tree along? I guess it's too late
for this year, but for next? Or is it doomed?

Have you tried feeding and watering the tree?
I suspect that it is covered in pests because it is unhealthy rather than
vice versa.
There is a lot going on in that border and it is possible that the
particular apple tree is coming out worst in the battle for food in general.

Also, when you cut off bits of the tree was the cut wood healthy (light
coloured) or was there brown staining inside?
It is possible that the tree has some major systemic infection.

From the picture it does seem to have a reasonable amount of leaf so it
isn't completely knackered.
However something is holding it back from flowering.
Feed it up and see if it perks up this year.
Also check the leaves for signs of disease.
I think it will need a year of good strong growth before cropping more.

Also, it may just be an old tree, in which case it may be due for
replacement.

HTH

Dave R