How to get an apple tree not to produce fruit?

[fotofashion]

My jaw just dropped when you said they were Macintosh apples. One of my absolutely favorite varieties. We get them here but mostly from the NW and they do not have the flavor of Northern varieties. They are good eating and pie making apples. What a shame you don't like them.
One thing you might do is go out in the early spring when the buds are forming and remove them from the tree. That will have the effect of producing fewer apples and those that remain will probably be bigger.
Try to form a taste for them, please
Beverly A.

[Bloomin_Aussie]

Learn to make cider

[nikkik]

[QUOTE=Paul;611703]Ooh! A place to go shopping for cheap perennials! Actually, in the future you might even be able to sell some of your excess via a yard sale or even by advertising on CraigsList or other free source. You can include "buyer digs" in either situation. (And I have no doubt you would have people take advantage of a deal like that.) My sis got rid of a bunch of "fill dirt" that way.

Paul, if you would be interested in some plants just let me know. Craigslist is a great idea! We had heard of people doing this, but my mom has been helping me to identify what's in the garden because there are some pretty uncommon things that we don't want dug up. We also have a lot of biannuals.

Great tip about the cardboard, thank you!

---------- Post added at 06:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:51 PM ----------

Originally Posted by fotofashion

My jaw just dropped when you said they were Macintosh apples. One of my absolutely favorite varieties. We get them here but mostly from the NW and they do not have the flavor of Northern varieties. They are good eating and pie making apples. What a shame you don't like them.
One thing you might do is go out in the early spring when the buds are forming and remove them from the tree. That will have the effect of producing fewer apples and those that remain will probably be bigger.
Try to form a taste for them, please
Beverly A.

Great idea about the buds. It's nothing against macintosh, we're just not apple people, we only like Granny Smith in very small doses. Even if we did like them, this tree produces more then we can eat, but our Great Dane likes them and eats at least 12 a day!

---------- Post added at 06:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:56 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Bloomin_Aussie

Learn to make cider

We're not cider people either. And that still wouldn't help me with how time consuming the tree is.

[Leafmite]

Ways to get plants identified: 1) request a White Farm catalogue...very good pictures of a wide variety of plants
2) make a deal with a local nursury to identify the plants in return for divisions
3) look for a local garden club
We have quite a few things that would be difficult to identify. Our chestnut takes after the American Chestnut and people constantly ask us what it is...that should be the easy one. The flowers and herbs will be more difficult.

[nikkik]

Originally Posted by Leafmite

Ways to get plants identified: 1) request a White Farm catalogue...very good pictures of a wide variety of plants
2) make a deal with a local nursury to identify the plants in return for divisions
3) look for a local garden club
We have quite a few things that would be difficult to identify. Our chestnut takes after the American Chestnut and people constantly ask us what it is...that should be the easy one. The flowers and herbs will be more difficult.

Thank you!! Luckily, my mom was a florist and a gardener, so I'm able to have her identify most things. If she's unsure the nursery down the street will identify plants if I bring in a leaf/flower from it. I've only had to take in one plant my most was iffy about, but she was correct! She's my personal plantipedia!

[euplusia]

Fruit tree pruning helps to control varying yield of a fruit tree, although it is a bit demanding. Apple Juice and fresh cider are a delicacy.

[Leafmite]

I'm glad your mom is able to help.
Good luck!

[nikkik]

Originally Posted by Leafmite

I'm glad your mom is able to help.
Good luck!

Thank you again for your help and kind words, it's very appreciated!

[Kevin_PR]

Thin out the old branches. Apple trees can only produce fruit on branches that are several seasons old. If you get rid of the older branches you will get fewer better quality apples. Or just cut the tree. Plant a native tree like river birch it grows fast and has wildlife value and winter appeal.

[nikkik]

Originally Posted by Eskevingo

Thin out the old branches. Apple trees can only produce fruit on branches that are several seasons old. If you get rid of the older branches you will get fewer better quality apples. Or just cut the tree. Plant a native tree like river birch it grows fast and has wildlife value and winter appeal.

Thank you great advice! We love winter birch! Sadly, we had to cut one down this year.