2 weeks ago, I planted a 2 year old apple tree (its about 4'). Today its started to flower. My understanding is that I should remove these so that growth goes into the tree not the fruit when its this young. Does that sound right... and do I just snip off the flower or prune more heavily? How many years do you think I should wait before I let the flowers turn to fruit for picking.
Many thanks to all
Personally I would remove the blossom for this year to encourage root and top development. What is the variety?
Rich..
You can let your tree to flower and enjoy the blossom, it doesn't do any harm, but if any of the flowers should get pollinated and start showing signs of possible fruit formation..then pinch those off..no more pruning is involved just piching off what would be the apple.
The flowering itself doesn't drain the tree from its 'energy' but letting it develop fruit will delay it efforts growing the rest of the tree and not only that if any fruit should manage to develop the tree is not strong enough to bare the weight from it yet and it can damage its young and still 'tender' branches and further delay its further crops as it may have to grow new branches to replace the damage.
It is quite possible that even if it flowers, the flowers won't set so no action is necessary..just enjoy the sight of the bloom and see what happens.. ;) ;D
Thanks very much both of you......Rich, its a James Grieve.