Question:
Why isn’t my apple tree bearing fruit?Answer:
The lack of fruit is likely due to the absence of flowers, poor pollination, or low temperatures during bloom.
Age of the Tree
After planting, most dwarf and semi-dwarf apple trees don’t flower and bear fruit for 3 to 5 years. Standard apple trees may not bear fruit for 5 to 10 years. Fruit trees have to grow and mature before they are capable of flowering and fruiting. If trees are young and flowers are not forming, be patient. Once the tree reaches maturity, it will flower and set fruit.
Poor Growth or Care
The growth of young apple trees may be slowed by unfavorable growing conditions (insufficient sunlight, heavy soils, etc.) and poor cultural practices (poor pruning, over-fertilization, etc.). Poorly growing trees lack the vigor to form flower buds. If trees are unhealthy, make changes in care and maintenance to improve health.
Poor Pollination
If the apple tree is flowering but not setting fruit, the lack of fruit may be due to poor pollination. Apples are self-unfruitful. Two different flowering apple trees (cultivars) need to be located within 50 to 100 feet of one another and bloom at the same time to ensure pollination and fruit set. Cold, rainy weather during flowering drastically reduces bee activity and can also reduce pollination and fruit set. There is little that can be done to correct this issue should it happen. If it is a recurring problem, plant a different cultivar nearby.
Cold Temperatures
Fruit set can also be greatly reduced by freezing temperatures during bloom. At 28°F (when the trees are in full bloom), 10 percent of the flowers will be destroyed. Ninety percent of the flowers will be destroyed when the temperature drops to 25°F. When cold temperatures damage or destroy blooms, nothing can be done. Hopefully the next year more favorable weather conditions will allow for better fruit set.