Apple tree not producing any apples?

Question

I planted this tree 8 years ago and have always had golden delicious apples.. lots of em! This is the first year that my apple tree is apple-less... any ideas why this is happening?

Answer 1

All fruit trees have low producing periods.   Did you have blossoms on the tree this year?  If you did and they didn't get pollinated then it could be lack of honeybees.  They are in dire straights.  Or when is the last time your pruned it?  Sometimes they need to be pruned to stimulate growth and sometimes they  need some branches removed  to allow sun to filter through the tree better.

"Apple trees are full sun plants.  They need a lot of light to form fruit buds and to set fruit."  

Although this was written more for commercial growers the reason for pruning home orchards is the same .

Why Prune Apple Trees?

Pruning correctly improves fruit quality and increases the value of the crop.  A pruned tree has more apples.

You might find the link below informative.

http://www.rickerhill.com/Pruning.htm

Answer 2

Have you been mistreating the Apple tree? An apple tree will not produce apples if it has been abused! Read about Johnny Appleseed, he explains it! We baby-talk out apple trees and they give so many apples over and over again!

Answer 3

have you seen any bees around??  no bees=no fruit  unless it is a self pollinating tree.

Answer 4

Apple trees typically go through cycles of light and heavy production.  In addition, in much of the apple growing areas this year, we had late frost that damaged many of the buds, rendering the flowers infertile.  And we're short on bees because of colony collapse disorder.

With luck, you'll get apples next year.