Apple trees, how do I thin?

Question

There are two trees with clumps of little apples starting. How do I thin them? Like if there is a clump of five, how do I select which ones go?

Answer 1

Leave them. Apples loose about 50% of their starter fruit by the time they are half way through  the growning season. If you want bigger apples make sure it has been fertilised and kept clean of moth.

Answer 2

I find that I don't have to thin my Granny Smith apples; they fall off by themselves and the stronger ones hold on.  Be sure to pick up the fallen fruit as it will attract moths and worms.  If the apples on your trees don't start falling off by the time they are about half golf ball size, then you might have to thin them a bit, but  that's not likely.  If you have two still together when they are not quite tennis ball size it is your choice as to whether you want to pull one off or not.  You will notice that at the top of the stem where the apples attach to the tree there is a swelling.  That is where the apples grow from year after year. The biggest thing you don't want to do is pull on an apple and have that whole section come off, because it will not fruit at that point again. Keep your trees sprayed for moths and worms  every two to three weeks and have a wonderful time making things with them and trying to get the neighbors to take some off your hands.