Why Are There No Apples On Your Apple Tree?

Do you have an apple tree in your yard that is not setting fruit? It's important to figure out the reason for this lack of fruit, so you can address it and enjoy a delicious harvest of apples. Here's a look at three common reasons why apple trees don't produce apples – and what you can do about them.

Reason 1: Your apple tree is not old enough.

If your apple tree is young, you might just have to wait another year or two before it starts bearing fruit. Dwarf and semi-dwarf apple varieties typically start producing when they are about 3 – 4 years old, and standard-sized apple trees start producing between 5 and 8 years of age.  Some apple varieties have a rather low yield the first few years they produce, so don't be shocked if the first few years you have apples, there are not too many. Production should pick up as your tree matures, so long as you are careful to have it pruned and fertilized properly.

Reason 2: There is no other tree to cross-pollinate your tree.

Some newer varieties of apples are self-pollinating, which means that their flowers can be pollinated by pollen of the same tree (or technically, any tree of the same variety). However, most varieties of apples must be cross-pollinated. They need an apple tree of another variety nearby so that its pollen can be transferred to their flowers and allow for the formation of fruit. If you have a single apple tree on your property and there are no other apple trees close by, planting another apple tree (that's a different variety than the one you already have) should result in pollination of the flowers – which is necessary for fruit production.

Reason 3: It does not get cold enough in your area to stimulate fruit production.

Apple trees require a certain number of "chill hours," or hours of exposure to cold temperatures, in order to set fruit.  The number of chill hours, and the temperature they must be, is dependent on the type of apple. If you live in an area with mild winters (or no winter at all), it could be that the apple variety you have planted requires longer periods of cold temperatures than your area offers. If you really want an apple crop, consider talking to a landscaping specialist about varieties that require fewer chill hours and will produce better in your area.

If there are no apples on your tree but you're sure your winters are cold, your tree is old enough, and you have a pollinator nearby, talk to an experienced tree care specialist. Your tree may have a disease that's preventing it from producing, and by identifying and curing that disease, your tree care specialist can ensure you have apples to enjoy in the coming years. In some cases, tree removal may be necessary.