Right, we chopped back the apple tree which had gone mad through lack
of pruning for about 5 years, so earlier this year it got severely
pruned back from having a 15 foot diameter spread to, well, basically
to the trunk as near as damn it. Why? because we had some work needed
doing including a large new workshop / shed etc but that's by the by.

So, over the last few months it's basically growing again lots of twigs
and leaves but we have a couple of problems with it that I have noticed
today.

1. where one of the larger diameter branches was cut (about 3 inches
diameter) there is a strange white fluff / lichen / something like in
the picture

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3...dbobs/gw02.jpg

Anyone know what this is and if there's a treatment if necessary?

2. There's loads of green bugs, I'm assuming aphids of some variety
like in the following 2 pics

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3...dbobs/gw04.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3...dbobs/gw03.jpg

Again, what can I do about them, I don't care if i have to use
pesticides if necessary but I guess I would rather not due to my
chickens / dog / kids

I don't think it's relevant but there's also quite a lot of ants up and
down the tree as there's a bit of an ants nest in the compost bin
nearby.

I have also noticed quite a few of these too which I believe will help
keep the aphids down too.
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3...dbobs/gw05.jpg

--
Donnie

"Donnie" wrote in message
...
Right, we chopped back the apple tree which had gone mad through lack
of pruning for about 5 years, so earlier this year it got severely
pruned back from having a 15 foot diameter spread to, well, basically
to the trunk as near as damn it. Why? because we had some work needed
doing including a large new workshop / shed etc but that's by the by.

So, over the last few months it's basically growing again lots of twigs
and leaves but we have a couple of problems with it that I have noticed
today.

1. where one of the larger diameter branches was cut (about 3 inches
diameter) there is a strange white fluff / lichen / something like in
the picture

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3...dbobs/gw02.jpg

Anyone know what this is and if there's a treatment if necessary?

2. There's loads of green bugs, I'm assuming aphids of some variety
like in the following 2 pics

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3...dbobs/gw04.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3...dbobs/gw03.jpg

Again, what can I do about them, I don't care if i have to use
pesticides if necessary but I guess I would rather not due to my
chickens / dog / kids

I don't think it's relevant but there's also quite a lot of ants up and
down the tree as there's a bit of an ants nest in the compost bin
nearby.

I have also noticed quite a few of these too which I believe will help
keep the aphids down too.
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3...dbobs/gw05.jpg

--
Far too severe, IMO. You just cannot cut an apple tree back to the trunk.
who told you to do this, or was this your own idea?
:-(
I would be surprised if it doesn't die.
Tina

On 31 July, 18:55, "Christina Websell"
wrote:
"Donnie" wrote in message

...



Right, we chopped back the apple tree which had gone mad through lack
of pruning for about 5 years, so earlier this year it got severely
pruned back from having a 15 foot diameter spread to, well, basically
to the trunk as near as damn it. Why? because we had some work needed
doing including a large new workshop / shed etc but that's by the by.

So, over the last few months it's basically growing again lots of twigs
and leaves but we have a couple of problems with it that I have noticed
today.

1. where one of the larger diameter branches was cut (about 3 inches
diameter) there is a strange white fluff / lichen / something like in
the picture

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3...dbobs/gw02.jpg

Anyone know what this is and if there's a treatment if necessary?

2. There's loads of green bugs, I'm assuming aphids of some variety
like in the following 2 pics

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3...dbobs/gw04.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3...dbobs/gw03.jpg

Again, what can I do about them, I don't care if i have to use
pesticides if necessary but I guess I would rather not due to my
chickens / dog / kids

I don't think it's relevant but there's also quite a lot of ants up and
down the tree as there's a bit of an ants nest in the compost bin
nearby.

I have also noticed quite a few of these too which I believe will help
keep the aphids down too.
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3...dbobs/gw05.jpg

--

Far too severe, IMO. *You just cannot cut an apple tree back to the trunk.
who told you to do this, or was this your own idea?
*:-(
I would be surprised if it doesn't die.
Tina- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Lets look at your problems first.
I. Woolly aphid
2. Aphids

The ants are almost certainly milking the aphids so will protect then
to some extent from predators.
I would spray the whole tree with a good insecticide.
When you have cleaned up the pests then select the shoots you want to
grow on to get your tree back into some sort of shape, remove the
rest.
I very much doubt if the tree will die.
I've known people doing what you have done and cutting back all
branches to a couple of feet then grafting in other varieties of apple
onto the cut branches.
My old Dr in Hastings, many years ago had over 30 varieties on one
tree, and it cropped each year.
David Hill

On 31 July, 19:09, Dave Hill wrote:
On 31 July, 18:55, "Christina Websell"





wrote:
"Donnie" wrote in message

...

Right, we chopped back the apple tree which had gone mad through lack
of pruning for about 5 years, so earlier this year it got severely
pruned back from having a 15 foot diameter spread to, well, basically
to the trunk as near as damn it. Why? because we had some work needed
doing including a large new workshop / shed etc but that's by the by.

So, over the last few months it's basically growing again lots of twigs
and leaves but we have a couple of problems with it that I have noticed
today.

1. where one of the larger diameter branches was cut (about 3 inches
diameter) there is a strange white fluff / lichen / something like in
the picture

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3...dbobs/gw02.jpg

Anyone know what this is and if there's a treatment if necessary?

2. There's loads of green bugs, I'm assuming aphids of some variety
like in the following 2 pics

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3...dbobs/gw04.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3...dbobs/gw03.jpg

Again, what can I do about them, I don't care if i have to use
pesticides if necessary but I guess I would rather not due to my
chickens / dog / kids

I don't think it's relevant but there's also quite a lot of ants up and
down the tree as there's a bit of an ants nest in the compost bin
nearby.

I have also noticed quite a few of these too which I believe will help
keep the aphids down too.
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3...dbobs/gw05.jpg

--

Far too severe, IMO. *You just cannot cut an apple tree back to the trunk.
who told you to do this, or was this your own idea?
*:-(
I would be surprised if it doesn't die.
Tina- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Lets look at your problems first.
I. *Woolly aphid
2. Aphids

The ants are almost certainly milking the aphids so will protect then
to some extent from predators.
I would spray the whole tree with a good insecticide.
When you have cleaned up the pests then select the shoots you want to
grow on to get your tree back into some sort of shape, remove the
rest.
I very much doubt if the tree will die.
I've known people doing what you have done and cutting back all
branches to a couple of feet then grafting in other varieties of apple
onto the cut branches.
My old Dr in Hastings, many years ago had over 30 varieties on one
tree, and it cropped each year.
David Hill- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I should have added
Why not yse it as a support for a climbing rose whilst it is growing
back, should look good.
David Hill

"Dave Hill" wrote in message
...
On 31 July, 19:09, Dave Hill wrote:
On 31 July, 18:55, "Christina Websell"





wrote:
"Donnie" wrote in message

...

Right, we chopped back the apple tree which had gone mad through lack
of pruning for about 5 years, so earlier this year it got severely
pruned back from having a 15 foot diameter spread to, well, basically
to the trunk as near as damn it. Why? because we had some work needed
doing including a large new workshop / shed etc but that's by the by.

So, over the last few months it's basically growing again lots of
twigs
and leaves but we have a couple of problems with it that I have
noticed
today.

1. where one of the larger diameter branches was cut (about 3 inches
diameter) there is a strange white fluff / lichen / something like in
the picture

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3...dbobs/gw02.jpg

Anyone know what this is and if there's a treatment if necessary?

2. There's loads of green bugs, I'm assuming aphids of some variety
like in the following 2 pics

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3...dbobs/gw04.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3...dbobs/gw03.jpg

Again, what can I do about them, I don't care if i have to use
pesticides if necessary but I guess I would rather not due to my
chickens / dog / kids

I don't think it's relevant but there's also quite a lot of ants up
and
down the tree as there's a bit of an ants nest in the compost bin
nearby.

I have also noticed quite a few of these too which I believe will help
keep the aphids down too.
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3...dbobs/gw05.jpg

--

Far too severe, IMO. You just cannot cut an apple tree back to the
trunk.
who told you to do this, or was this your own idea?
:-(
I would be surprised if it doesn't die.
Tina- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Lets look at your problems first.
I. Woolly aphid
2. Aphids

The ants are almost certainly milking the aphids so will protect then
to some extent from predators.
I would spray the whole tree with a good insecticide.
When you have cleaned up the pests then select the shoots you want to
grow on to get your tree back into some sort of shape, remove the
rest.
I very much doubt if the tree will die.
I've known people doing what you have done and cutting back all
branches to a couple of feet then grafting in other varieties of apple
onto the cut branches.
My old Dr in Hastings, many years ago had over 30 varieties on one
tree, and it cropped each year.
David Hill- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I should have added
Why not yse it as a support for a climbing rose whilst it is growing
back, should look good.
David Hill

I hope you are right, David.
I don't mind being proved wrong, in fact I hope so. I think the tree will
die. It's diseased already.

Christina Websell wrote:


"Dave Hill" wrote in message

... On 31 July, 19:09, Dave Hill
wrote:
On 31 July, 18:55, "Christina Websell"





wrote:
"Donnie" wrote in message

...

Right, we chopped back the apple tree which had gone mad through
lack of pruning for about 5 years, so earlier this year it got
severely pruned back from having a 15 foot diameter spread to,
well, basically to the trunk as near as damn it. Why? because we
had some work needed doing including a large new workshop / shed
etc but that's by the by.

So, over the last few months it's basically growing again lots
of twigs and leaves but we have a couple of problems with
it that I have noticed today.

1. where one of the larger diameter branches was cut (about 3
inches diameter) there is a strange white fluff / lichen /
something like in the picture



http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3...dbobs/gw02.jpg

Anyone know what this is and if there's a treatment if necessary?

2. There's loads of green bugs, I'm assuming aphids of some
variety like in the following 2 pics


http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3...andbobs/gw04.j
pg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3...dbobs/gw03.jpg

Again, what can I do about them, I don't care if i have to use
pesticides if necessary but I guess I would rather not due to my
chickens / dog / kids

I don't think it's relevant but there's also quite a lot of ants
up and down the tree as there's a bit of an ants nest in
the compost bin nearby.

I have also noticed quite a few of these too which I believe
will help keep the aphids down too.


http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3...dbobs/gw05.jpg

--

Far too severe, IMO. You just cannot cut an apple tree back to the
trunk. who told you to do this, or was this your own idea?
:-(
I would be surprised if it doesn't die.
Tina- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Lets look at your problems first.
I. Woolly aphid
2. Aphids

The ants are almost certainly milking the aphids so will protect
then to some extent from predators.
I would spray the whole tree with a good insecticide.
When you have cleaned up the pests then select the shoots you want
to grow on to get your tree back into some sort of shape, remove the
rest.
I very much doubt if the tree will die.
I've known people doing what you have done and cutting back all
branches to a couple of feet then grafting in other varieties of
apple onto the cut branches.
My old Dr in Hastings, many years ago had over 30 varieties on one
tree, and it cropped each year.
David Hill- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I should have added
Why not yse it as a support for a climbing rose whilst it is growing
back, should look good.
David Hill

I hope you are right, David.
I don't mind being proved wrong, in fact I hope so. I think the tree
will die. It's diseased already.

I sincerely doubt it will die and Im not sure that the tree itself is
diseased, these are pests its not like the woods rotting etc.

Dave thanks for the advice, I may well think about the rose idea too :-)

--
Donnie

get back to me in 12 months saying this apple tree is fine and bearing
fruit.
I never mind being wrong. If I am, I learn from it.
Tina

Christina Websell wrote:


get back to me in 12 months saying this apple tree is fine and
bearing fruit. I never mind being wrong. If I am, I learn from it.
Tina

There's no way it'll be bearing fruit after such a harsh cut back, I
think you know that, you were saying it'll be dead.

--
Donnie

"Donnie" wrote in message
...
Christina Websell wrote:


get back to me in 12 months saying this apple tree is fine and
bearing fruit. I never mind being wrong. If I am, I learn from it.
Tina

There's no way it'll be bearing fruit after such a harsh cut back, I
think you know that, you were saying it'll be dead.

If it survives it will, in time, bear fruit again, might take a couple of
years, but it will happen.

Alan




--
Donnie

I'd b surprised if it did. Our very old Bramley was blown over in the 1987 storm. Since its roots were half out of the ground we assumed t was a goner, and as it completely blocked our garden, we cut off all the branches back to the trunk. But we never got around to dealing with the trunk, and next year it was re-shooting all over the place.

So yes,, it is possible to cut an apple tree right back to the trunk.

But it may take a few years to come back into fruiting.

Don't get one which is too vigorous, else it will overwhelm the tree. In other words, go for one which is about 8ft high,, not one which is advertised as 'ideal for growing into trees'.

Sacha wrote:

I have to wonder why you didn't ask advice before you cut it back so
severely? A little at a time is a the preferred method. As it will
be in the way of your shed when and if, it puts out new growth why
not just cut it down altogether?

No actually 2 reasons I didnt cut it down altogether.

1. It was an access issue for the new shed, I didnt need advice on how
to get a shed built past it and the reason for not cutting it down
altogether was that I thought I would give it a chance knowing it will
come back in years to come where I will be able to make a concious
effort to shape it to its surroundings.

and

2. I didn't have a big enough saw to cut the whole thing down, simple
as that.
--
Donnie

kay wrote:

So yes,, it is possible to cut an apple tree right back to the trunk.
But it may take a few years to come back into fruiting.

Absolutely. The tree won't die - indeed it hasn't since well-
established apples are hight resilient and can survive pretty
catastrophic damage. However, unless the shoots are thinned to form a
new framework of branches, it will develop into an unproductive 'mop'
of congested twigs. Woolly aphis (American blight) love open wounds
on apples and usually the infestation starts from there and moves to
the rest of the tree as the season progresses. Get rid of the aphids
by drenching the trunk and leafy shoots with a good systemic
insecticide, Apply this two or three times at 3 week intervals and
then leave the tree until winter when all of the leaves have fallen.
Gather any leaves and burn them - you don't want any nice cosy resting
spots from which a new infestation can start in the spring.

Select the thickest and strongest shoots which can be retained to form
the new framework. All others can be cut away. You should aim for an
open-centred tree, only choosing shoots that grow outwards and away
from each other. The principle is the much the same as for producing
a new fruit tree. The ideal is an open, goblet shape with no crossing
branches. You will find that the old trunk will continue to produce a
lot of 'water sprouts' for a few years until balance has been
restored, so you will need to rub these out as they appear. Get it
more or less right and within 3 or 4 years you should be picking your
first apples. If all else fails, use it as a support for a really
nice climbing rose and a few clematis ... and you'll still get the
occasional apple.

On 31/07/2010 21:54, kay wrote:
'Christina Websell[_2_ Wrote:

Far too severe, IMO. You just cannot cut an apple tree back to the
trunk.
who told you to do this, or was this your own idea?
:-(
I would be surprised if it doesn't die.
Tina

I'd b surprised if it did. Our very old Bramley was blown over in the
1987 storm. Since its roots were half out of the ground we assumed t was
a goner, and as it completely blocked our garden, we cut off all the
branches back to the trunk. But we never got around to dealing with the
trunk, and next year it was re-shooting all over the place.

So yes,, it is possible to cut an apple tree right back to the trunk.

But it may take a few years to come back into fruiting.

I'd second Kay's view. In a friend's field there is an old apple which
also seccumbed to a gale years ago. It was left with one large root
holding it in the ground, all the others having been torn through. It
lies on its side, has never been touched since it's accident in terms of
pruning, and each year has produced a good crop of apples. This year it
has excelled itself and has more fruit on it than I've ever seen before.
And yet, I look at it and wonder how on earth it manages to survive.
Jill