I have two apple trees on my father's farm. One year they bear extremely well and the next I get all most no fruit. What is the problem? One tree is a Haralson and the other is a Sweet 16.
Minnesota Master Gardeners say:
It is not uncommon that apple trees will have heavy production one year and light production the next. Haralson trees do this. Apple researchers at the University's Research and Outreach Center in Grand Rapids say that Sweet Sixteen trees are quite erratic in production.
Be sure you properly fertilize the trees and they receive an adequate amount of water. This still may not change their production pattern but it will help to keep the trees healthy.
