there is a little apple tree. The people who lived here before us planted an apple and a pear tree. The pear tree was taken out by wind/lightning several years ago, and DH took out the stump a few years after that. The apple tree has just kept plugging along. We didn’t/still don’t care for spraying chemicals for pests, so the apples are mostly enjoyed by creatures of the air and ground, if I’m clear. But one year in the early aughts, I thought I’d try to collect some of the apples, cook them up, and put them away. I looked up some info on doing such things, and learned from the U of MI that our tree is considered to be a neglected fruit tree, because it isn’t sprayed to keep pests away, nor professionally pruned. The information confirmed that the plan to cook and freeze was the best one for apples from such a tree. I did that for a few years, but then went back to work and the tree continued to produce (except for one year; we got blossoms, but no fruit. It was back the next year, though.)
So, late last Winter, I needed to get some maintenance done on all the trees in the yard. The trimmers were such great help, and it is easier to relax when the wind is harsh, since the trees are nicely trimmed and power lines are not endangered by tree branches. The trimmers discussed the little apple tree with me; the photos below will help explain. We decided to trim the apple tree but let it stay because there were blossoms, and new branches and limbs. Something to do with, if the new branches are growing up, there is life; if the branches are growing downward or outward, it’s a last gasp. The trimmers’s business is a 2d generation family business, with all members having studied tree ag specifically so they can care for people’s trees in the best interests of all. They’re great people. So, anyway:
It appears, from the trunk, that the tree is dead, as seen in the shot above; that’s at the bottom of the tree, and up to the first branch. An entire family of elves could live comfortably in this tree. And yet, there are newer branches, with young limbs. This morning I was out there with Ollie, and there are more baby limbs growing! So I took photos, and thought I’d share. If anyone knows about this, input is welcome; else enjoy my apple tree!
Scottie's Playtime 
All I know is, if it sprouts, it ain’t dead. Apple trees are dreadfully hard to kill, and you may have more apples from it sooner than you think. I’d not let anyone near it with a saw, or an axe, until you can see where dead bits might be. Don’t let anyone convince you it’s unsightly, even if it looks like a bomb hit it.
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Well, and that’s what we all decided; you can see in the photos where the dead branches were removed, yet there are live young limbs and branches growing upward. We got apples again this year, too; I harvested some, and cooked then froze them for holiday apple crisps. Why not? I just thought it’s an interesting thing to look at, because there doesn’t seem a good way for these newer branches to be sprouting and gaining, when the older branches from where they came have nothing inside them (they’re dead.) But, there it is-Nature is awesome!
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