Apple Tree drooping

[Myatix]

Hi All,

I was wondering if someone could give me some advice on a young 3 year old Braeburn apple tree that I have in my garden. I am currently trying to develop a strong structure for the tree but a lot of the branches are dropping down rather than growing up. Can someone please give me some advice on what I should do?

 

Here are some images to help explain what I mean.

I have been thinking of adding a central stake and then tying some of the branches to the stake to lift them up but am not sure this will help and have been a bit worried about damaging the roots when putting a stake in so close to the tree.

 

[sime42]

I don't think I'd worry too much if it were my tree, it doesn't look too bad at all to me. The best advice is probably to just leave to it's own devices, it's still very young so plenty of time. 

 

The dropping branches aren't really a problem, in fact they're beneficial from the point of view of getting a good crop of apples. I think it's probably occurring because the branches are flushed with relatively heavy new leaf growth, and the wood is very flexible still on accountof being so young.  I certainly wouldn't try to add an additional stake, for fear of root damage. Also, the branches would probably just drop down again when you eventually take it away. You could prune the tips of the branches back very slightly to take some of the weight off. 

 

 

 

 

[slack ma girdle]

The original leader was pruned out when it was in the nursery to encourage horizontal growth,  for better fruit production.

Fruit trees are always best left to their own devices.

[Myatix]

Thank you for the advice! I have always heard that structural Apple tree branches should grow at 45-60 degrees! So of the branches on the tree are closer to 0 degrees (horizontal)

 

[Stere]

Maybe it needs a pollination  group partner as why no apples yet?

 

 

Edited Monday at 13:25 by Stere

[Steven P]

Not sure on that - all mine took about 5 years to start fruiting well after planting at mine, got one that is about the same as this, due to blossom next year I think (snapped off at ground level, has regrown so is taking a while to develop).

 

Maybe the OP can say whether there were blossoms this year or not?

 

 

I wouldn't add another stake, unless it is going to get abuse from day toddlers I'd be thinking about when to remove the existing one

[slack ma girdle]

12 hours ago, Myatix said:

Thank you for the advice! I have always heard that structural Apple tree branches should grow at 45-60 degrees! So of the branches on the tree are closer to 0 degrees (horizontal)

 

My apple trees are the most unloved trees in west Wales, and still they produce more apples than i can deal with.

I spend quite alot of my working life pruning apple trees, and not one of these 'looked after' trees produces as much fruit as my unloved trees .

[Dan Maynard]

On 09/06/2025 at 20:44, slack ma girdle said:

My apple trees are the most unloved trees in west Wales, and still they produce more apples than i can deal with.

I spend quite alot of my working life pruning apple trees, and not one of these 'looked after' trees produces as much fruit as my unloved trees .

It's funny isn't it, my apple tree gets a whack every few years because it's got too big. Always someone else's tree to do first.....

[sime42]

Like a builder's house .......