Dying ? Apple Tree Advice

[meakinsl]

Hi posted a few years ago on apple tree in my garden (garden-friends.co.uk/thread/1400/apple-tree-advice) and followed advice given and painted branch with Arbrex Paint & Seal where it was dying into main trunk as shown below :



Tree was still producing lots of leaves and apples for next couple of years but this summer the tree didn't produce many apples at all and not as any leaves as I remember (not sure if generally a bad year for apples), I also noticed that the branch that I have painted (the lesser of the three - front left) is completely dead and produced no leaves or apples and the bark is peeling off.

Query is should I now prune this branch off or is it best left on ? Concerned that whole tree is on its way out which would be a disaster as it is the main feature in the garden.

Many thanks in advance

Lawrence

[sweetpea]

Sometimes you have to reconcile yourself to the truism that all living things die.
However apple trees can be replaced and dead ones make good firewood.
Sorry I can't offer a magic cure

[daitheplant]

Actually Lawrence, you were advised to cut that branch off and treat the CUT with the Arbrex. You have not lost the tree yet but I would suggest you remove the branch, seal the cut with Arbrex and also paint the tree with "Winter Wash".

[meakinsl]

Ah yes somehow missed that and just painted the wound with Arbrex, will go for the cut this time as everyone is saying cut it off - I was just not sure if it was best left but seems not, hope tree comes back as really do not want to lose it.

Many thanks

Lawrence

[Rosie]

Hello again Lawrence. I would take the branch out, Dai and sweetpea give good advice

[sweetpea]

Cut it close to the trunk and rasp away any snags prior to using Arbrex.
I always cut at the bottom first then saw down to meet that cut. Helps to avoid torn branch.

[daitheplant]

Spot on Jim.

[sweetpea]

Jan 29, 2015 19:37:18 GMT daitheplant said:

Spot on Jim.

But of course David
And if all else fails, they still burn well.

[daitheplant]

Wasn`t Burns night last Sunday though Jim?