I have two dwarf apple trees which are bearing small fruits, but do not have enough leaves. I’m not sure what is wrong: they look almost like sticks. They’re both four years old, one is the Jonathon variety and the other is a Lady Williams. I feed them sheep manure and citrus fertilizer four times a year, and sprinkle on rock dust, so I don’t think it could be a nutrition problem. Do you know why they haven’t grown any leaves?
Shirley, Dalyellup
Thanks for the question Shirley.
This is a tricky one without being able to see the plant, but there are a few possible reasons as to why your apple tree is looking a bit bare.
The first is that it is autumn, which is when apples drop their leaves naturally. However, it sounds like in your case the trees have failed to grow leaves at all over the previous spring/summer season.
No matter what the reason, I’d recommend removing all the fruit for now. You want to encourage growth in the leaves next spring, and that means removing any other energy sink in the meantime.
It sounds like the food is sufficient, otherwise I’d be suggesting that you increase the nitrogen load.
Since you’re in Dalyellup, where the sand dunes have a limestone base, it’s possible the soil is too alkaline (above a pH of 7 or neutral), so you may need to turn more compost through, and add lupin mulch to bring the acidity up.
Test a sample from one finger deep into the soil, using a store-bought test kit.
However, sheep manure and citrus fertilizer should be adequate, so long as you’re giving them a good feed in both spring and autumn, and using a soil wetter to ensure both the water and nutrients are penetrating to the roots (again, one of the problems with that sandy soil – hydrophobia).
Another factor that affects leaf growth is exposure to the elements. Young fruit trees are particularly vulnerable to strong, hot and dry winds, so it’s possible the leaves have come off over summer during some kind of shock.
To protect the leaves from this problem in future, I’d suggest investing in a light shade cloth in summer, and making sure the trees are protected from strong winds by fences, walls, or other sturdier plants.
You should also check for any damage on the stems, as the other possibility is disease.
Fungal disease will look like dark patches, or else may be caused by planting the tree too deep in the soil, which can cause collar rot that prevents nutrients from reaching the tree’s extremities.
Aside from ensuring the plant is in the best conditions to leaf up come next spring, there’s not a lot you can do now except wait.
Do you have a gardening question for Jess? Send your queries to jess.cockerill@fairfaxmedia.com.au or call 9550 2409.