In article , Rod
writes
On Sunday, 2 September 2012 16:36:11 UTC+1, miljee wrote:
In Hampshire. This tree produced well last year, but this year the few
blossom that set got no further than one inch big apples, the few that
then survived being nicked by the squirrels!

It looks healthy enough (sorry, I don't know the variety, but it's about
3m tall and produces medium sized, red and green apples) and I know some
apple trees produce well in alternate years. It has loads of new
shoots.

Can I get stuck in a give it a reasonable prune now or should I wait til
the 'correct' time, after the (non-existent!) harvest?

This is a rotten year for apples, since it has grown OK I would leave it alone
and see how it does next year and let's hope it is a better year.
The problem was in spring when the blossom should have been pollinated but most
of it didn't even open and if it did hardly anything was flying to pollinate it.

If it needs pruning (ie new shoots would make it too large or look like
competing with next year's fruit) you can prune it whenever you find it
convenient.
--
Sue ]