Apples rotting on branches of granny smith apple tree?

Question

Last year my granny smith apple tree had lots of apples, they got big, became ripe, tasted good & we made lots of apple pies as well as shared the tons of gruit that came from the tree with our neighbors. This year, it's a different story....tons and tons of apples are popping up all over the tree however they are not getting too big (anywhere from 1/4 of the size they should be to 1/3 the size) but most of them are rotting already. They are getting tons of brown spots on them and just literally rotting on the branches.

Any idea why this would be happening? Any suggestions as to what I should do? I am located in Northern California so no drastically cold, wet or snow in our weather. Mostly warm to hot and cool evenings. Any advise from you green thumbers would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks!

Answer 1

Since most apples are only partially self pollinators but really need a cross pollinator for the best results I am hoping you have a pollinator with the same fruiting time as the granny smith.  For example; Fuji does quite well with a granny smith and granny smith does well with Starkrimson® Red Delicious or Starkspur® Red Rome Beauty .

If I were you I would email Stark Brothers/ see below they are pretty much the experts in the US at the time.  They are quick to respond...  

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See photos of GS Apples with brown spots is this the problem?

http://entomology.tfrec.wsu.edu/Cullage_...

TREE FRUIT RESEARCH IN CALIFORNIA

Bitter pit is a variable problem for California apples, causing serious losses in some seasons and

manageable losses in other seasons. The past three seasons have been serious for bitter pit

incidence in California apples, especially for Granny Smith.

http://postharvest.tfrec.wsu.edu/PC2005G...

2007 – 2008 CALIFORNIA

GRANNY SMITH APPLE CROP DOWN

The 2007 – 2008 California apple crop was down http://www.calapple.org/files/IssueNo-68...

Answer 2

Fruit trees naturally prune themselves.  Usually when too many flowers set the tree will drop some so that it is not over taxed.  Also if you have a young tree and you allowed too many to grow last year the tree is less able to support a crop this year. For most fruit trees it is recommended that you thin the crop to 1 fruit within 6" of any other and skip any on the end of branches.   You could also be under/over watering the tree.  1 inch once a week is about right.  If you clean up the leaf fall every year and don't fertilize you may not have adequate soil.  I use a lot of leaves around my apple trees every winter as mulch.  Our rainfall patterns here in Northern California are so different every year that you need to be sure the tree has water throughout its growing season.

Answer 3

possible....

http://www.essortment.com/all/blackrot_r...

take a sample to your County Co-operative Extension office and ask for help with the problem.... they are connected to the University Botany dept and will be of great help.... your taxes pay for the office.. use it!!...