Apple trees

Tosha_kay

Hi there!

I have just recently purchased some Apple trees, two Anna Apple trees and two Dorsett Golden Apple trees, I have planted them in a row 10' apart with both Anna's in the middle, I have put up stake supports on each tree and have read that they should remain there for up to two years. I have put mulch around the bed, as I have also read about doing for tree care. The nursery I purchased the trees from recommended I use some root stimulator to help the trees get established. I believe the trees are maybe one to two year trees, but Im not for sure. I have no knowledge of how to care for the trees really and Im afraid Ill end up killing them,lol. I hope to seek advice in caring for my baby trees. The tag said to water them only twice a week, but I live in Texas and a friend of my husbands says he waters his everyday? There are a few problems Im concerned with: (1) The trees have been planted for almost a month now, and the brances are still in a wave like position? instead of sticking straight out, they curl and some droop down. At first I thought it was just the tree going through the stress of being planted but its still looks weird. (2) I water them almost everyday, is that too much?, the soil stays dry from what I see, and the ground is hard here where I planted them. (3) One of the trees keeps coming up with a bunch of yellow leaves, more so than the others? Ive notice the trunk is more green than the others, Is it dying? (4) One of the Dorsett Golden trees has actually bloomed and has two apples on it now, someone told me since the tree is so young, Im supposed to pick these apples off? Is that true, I dont see this tiny branch withstanding the weight of a fully ripe apple?



So sorry for so many questions, I just want to give them a good start, and I dont really know what Im doing!
Im going to try and attach pics so you get an Idea of what the trees look like.
THANK YOU so much!

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Brent Ferris

The first question I have is what kind of soil are your trees planted in, and how much do you water. If you are watering for 15 min a day, it prob isn't enough. Wait 4 hours after watering, and take a trowel, and dig down and see how far the water penetrated. If the roots are about 6 to 12 inches deep, but the water only gets down an inch or so, you have to water more, If the roots don't get water, the tree won't grow,

If you are worried about the apple weighing down the branch too much, prop up the branch, or take it off and wait for another year.

Additionally, pull back the mulch so it doesn't contact the trunk of the tree. Trunk bark can't cope with being wet all the time.

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