How to get an apple tree not to produce fruit? - Orchid Board

nikkik · #1 09-23-2013, 10:03 AM

We have been in our house for about a year and a half. Last year, our apple tree was a pretty part of our landscaping, as it didn't produce fruit. This year has been a very different story, the tree has become a headache! I have given apples to those who want them. Most people I ask aren't interested. We are fruit lovers in my house, but none of us like this particular type of apple.

The tree has literally dumped truck loads of apples in our yard. They stink if left out for just a few days and they attract lots of wildlife. This is a problem because I have small kids and dogs.

Is there a way to stop the production of apples without having to cut down the tree?

orchidsarefun · #2 09-23-2013, 10:22 AM

I found this product, but I am sure there are lots more

Tree Stuff - Florel Fruit Eliminator

Paul · #3 09-23-2013, 10:37 AM

Have you considered taking the fruit to food pantries (many churches/temples/synagogues have them), food kitchens, or shelters (like women's shelters)? A friend of mine (on the other side of the state) does this with their excess tomatoes -- they get LOTS of excess toms -- and the food kitchens and food pantries in their area are always glad to take them.

nikkik · #4 09-23-2013, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orchidsarefun

I found this product, but I am sure there are lots more

Tree Stuff - Florel Fruit Eliminator

Thank you!!

---------- Post added at 10:49 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:38 AM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul

Have you considered taking the fruit to food pantries (many churches/temples/synagogues have them), food kitchens, or shelters (like women's shelters)? A friend of mine (on the other side of the state) does this with their excess tomatoes -- they get LOTS of excess toms -- and the food kitchens and food pantries in their area are always glad to take them.

Yes, this is something I had thought of, as I don't like to waste food. The only issue with this is that I'm not super close to a pantry and while my tree is a lot of fruit for us, I'm not sure it would be worth a pantry's time to come pick them off my tree and transport them. I don't have the time to pick them all off the tree before they fall on the ground and once they've been on the ground they not really good for long because my dogs walk on them and other critters/bugs start to eat them.

It's a great idea in theory and I'm happy you posted. At this point it's just not practical for my family.

Leafmite · #5 09-23-2013, 12:32 PM

What type of apple? Some only produce every other year. If you don't like the apples but like a different type, why not call a tree nursury and see if they will do some grafting? Or, just cut it down and spare yourself the trouble. We have apple trees (varieties we planted) so I understand.
When we moved into our home, we had silver maples that dumped three foot's worth of leaves in the yard (no need to rake for the kids to jump in and the entire yard was covered!). After raking all those leaves, I called and had the silver maples removed. I planted fruit trees, chestnut, walnut, and oak. So much better.

nikkik · #6 09-23-2013, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leafmite

What type of apple? Some only produce every other year. If you don't like the apples but like a different type, why not call a tree nursury and see if they will do some grafting? Or, just cut it down and spare yourself the trouble. We have apple trees (varieties we planted) so I understand.
When we moved into our home, we had silver maples that dumped three foot's worth of leaves in the yard (no need to rake for the kids to jump in and the entire yard was covered!). After raking all those leaves, I called and had the silver maples removed. I planted fruit trees, chestnut, walnut, and oak. So much better.

Thanks for the kind words! We think they're Macintosh. Last year it didn't have apples, we thought it was because we got a late frost, thanks for the info. about certain apples producing fruit every other year. The grafting is a great idea.

We love this house and the yard, but when we put an offer in on it there was snow on the ground. We had no idea how many plants there were!! We never asked, never thought to as it was our first home. We always talked about how great it would be to produce our own fruit and veggies when we rented, but until we experienced it we didn't understand. I have two small children, the couple who owned this house before us were retired and loved to garden (according to the neighbors); I just don't have hours everyday to maintain it all, so were slowly trying make it fit our lifestyle. Plus, we have had really bad storms this year and we had to have over a thousand dollars worth of tree removal.

Paul · #7 09-23-2013, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikkik

We had no idea how many plants there were!!

Sounds like you have a lot of perenials, then? Maintenance wise, those typically aren't too bad. Annuals are more work in many ways.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikkik

I have two small children ...

Depending on just how "small", you might be able to get them hooked on gardening by having them "help" you or even assign them an area of their own (assuming they like getting their hands dirty) to do with as they will.

cbuchman · #8 09-23-2013, 02:05 PM

Cut it down (tongue firmly in cheek)

nikkik · #9 09-23-2013, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul

Sounds like you have a lot of perenials, then? Maintenance wise, those typically aren't too bad. Annuals are more work in many ways.

Depending on just how "small", you might be able to get them hooked on gardening by having them "help" you or even assign them an area of their own (assuming they like getting their hands dirty) to do with as they will.

We have tons of perennials!! There are so many that I have made divisions this year and given bags of plants away, but they are still tight and overgrown. The weeds are crazy as nothing was laid down to prevent them before the mulch was put down.

Love the idea about having the kids help, but mine are both under 3 and still put everything in their mouths!

---------- Post added at 02:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:21 PM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbuchman

Cut it down (tongue firmly in cheek)

Paul · #10 09-23-2013, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikkik

We have tons of perennials!! .

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikkik

The weeds are crazy as nothing was laid down to prevent them before the mulch was put down.

One of the easiest ways to keep weeds down if they are in the main walk paths or assuming some largish spaces between plants/beds is to put down sections of cardboard (like from moving boxes) and then add a thin layer of mulch to hide the cardboard.