Hi

We are in the second summer in our house and after last year's bumper
crop on the mature Bramley tree, this year has been followed by next to
nothing - honestly, I can only spot half a dozen apples although there
will be more hiding amongst its branches but the contrast with last year
is so extreme! The tree is obviously severely biennial. I have read
that Bramleys are one of a number of apple trees with this tendency and
I think ours is an extreme example of it! We had some larger and
awkward branches taken off it last year but it needs more of a thorough
going over I think, to take out old and crossed or straggling growth,
however it's too tall for us to get at a lot of it.

What can be done to even out the apple harvest? Do I need to get a tree
surgeon or apple expert for advice or should we just get it pruned and
then thin the apples severely next year? I am a bit nervous as I
haven't kept a large fruit tree before, and I know very little about
pruning, especially apple trees which I think isn't that
straightforward, but something needs to be done to get the tree back on
to an even keel.

Does anyone know of a tree expert in Shropshire?

Many thanks!
Lynda