Apple tree espalier - Malis Hat Trick - Ask Extension
Hello, I planted malus hat trick espalier last year. The hat trick has Honeycrisp, Sweet 16 and Zestar grafted branches. The trees are fairly mature ...
Knowledgebase
Apple tree espalier - Malis Hat Trick #867960
Asked May 11, 2024, 12:31 AM EDT
Hello, I planted malus hat trick espalier last year. The hat trick has Honeycrisp, Sweet 16 and Zestar grafted branches. The trees are fairly mature (‘~5 ft tall). I’ve heard that you should remove all blossoms in the early years to allow roots and structure to form. Should I do that again this year? Or is it ok to let the tree set fruit?
What do you recommend for fertilizing apple trees?
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
Apple trees require very little fertilizer. Over fertilizing will actually prevent or reduce fruit bearing and produce green growth instead. A weak nitrogen fertilizer can be used if you want to do that.
Thinning apples in July is a good idea for young trees and even older trees to prevent overproduction and especially to reduce the load and prevent breakage on young tree branches.
The following website contains our apple growing recommendations.
https://extension.umn.edu/fruit/growing-apples
Thinning apples in July is a good idea for young trees and even older trees to prevent overproduction and especially to reduce the load and prevent breakage on young tree branches.
The following website contains our apple growing recommendations.
https://extension.umn.edu/fruit/growing-apples
