Help with my apple tree.

[sharon23]

I moved into my home 2 years this christmas, the previous owners had put an apple tree in, in the summer but never staked it, this year I have alot of fruit and it is weighing the poor tree down, plus it is not growing straight can anyone give me some advise as I am not sure what to do. thanks Sharon :)

[Chris]

You shouldn't stake trees anyways, they don't get staked in nature.

Limb loss from fruit weight is a concern though. You could try the following.

1. Temporarily brace the branches with supports up from the ground.

2. Remove select fruits to lighten the load, ie limit each "cluster" to just 1 apple.

Drooping and bending is normal and natural and every fruit tree does it, you just don't want it to get overloaded.

[sharon23]

Thanks for the advise will try what you suggested, there does seem to be 3-4 apples on some of the branches. Was just a bit concerned about it leaning over.:)