[londongardener]

I planted this in 2007 and it has never given much fruit and this year none, also it does not taste very nice.
Should I give it one more year or kill it?  If one more year what should I do?
http://www.ipernity.com/doc/1491182/40189750//in/album/838230
To be fair to it
a) in 2012 an idiot attacked it and cut a big piece off.  (I was ill and foolish believed that the idiot could garden).
b) there is a pond very near it

[mumofstig]

IMO it's not worth hoping/waiting for a better crop, if you don't like the taste anyway.

Take it out and choose one you do like the taste of (rather than one that sounds interesting  ) to plant.

[Norfolkgrey]

Have you tasted D'arcy spice anywhere else, if yes then take it out. If not try someone elses before removing. The first couple of crops aren't necessarily a true flavour and the season will also effect the out come.

I would give it a couple of years. It may be that I have got it wrong, but it looks like you have a lot of tall upright growth so it has been busy growing. I would clear underneath, scatter some BFB and mulch. Then deal with the pruning which is easier said then done as it is a partial tip bearer apperently, so will be a couple of years to hopefully get it fruiting. 

[Lardman]

Have you had a look here http://www.orangepippin.com/apples/darcy-spice

I had a quick read and for all it's novelty it doesn't appear to be the easiest tree to get along with  Slow growing, slow to crop, partial tip bearer and a rubbish pollinator  Do you have anything else close to help pollinate?

Can you remember what rootstock it's on?

If it's been in 8 years and it's rubbish I think it's a pretty safe bet it will be rubbish in year 9 too. 

[surbie100]

8 years is a long time to faff about with a tree you don't much like.

[londongardener]

Have you had a look here http://www.orangepippin.com/apples/darcy-spice

I had a quick read and for all it's novelty it doesn't appear to be the easiest tree to get along with  Slow growing, slow to crop, partial tip bearer and a rubbish pollinator  Do you have anything else close to help pollinate?

Can you remember what rootstock it's on?

If it's been in 8 years and it's rubbish I think it's a pretty safe bet it will be rubbish in year 9 too. 

It is M26 and there is a family tree nearby to help pollinate it with other trees nearby.

[Lardman]

It is M26 and there is a family tree nearby to help pollinate it with other trees nearby.

From what I've been reading lately you may struggle for performance with a wimpy tree on a dwarfing (wimpy) rootstock in less than ideal growing conditions. You can't do much about 2 of those but you could try improving the environment to see if you can give things a kick start.   I'd clear the ground around the base and get a thick layer of manure around it, keep well fed and watered next year. Not a lot is going to happen over winter but it doesn't look an unhealthy tree from the pictures.

I can't see anything improving the taste though and I wouldn't have thought anything environmental could have altered that significantly either - although I stand to be corrected on that. 

[londongardener]

Does it matter what type of manure I use?  I have a tub of chicken manure.  Could (if I get it) just put fresh horse manure down and let it rot?
BTW I live in a suburban street so let me know if that is a bad idea

[grinling]

fresh animal manure should never be used.

You can buy some tub fruit trees,some as a mixture on the same stock and a tub can help to restrict the height.

If chopping it down you could sell the wood as unseasoned as it burns lovely.

[AnnieB]

Seems to be a bit of a questionable tree. One reference I have says weak growth, another say vigerous growth, a third gives no indication. 

All say that it needs a good hot summer for the fruit to achieve the expected flavour. Long warm or hot summers have been in somewhat short supply over the last few years.

Seems to be a popular Essex variety, which is where it was found and grown, and that area of the UK can get warm dry summers - there is no indication of where the tree is being grown.

[londongardener]

Seems to be a bit of a questionable tree. One reference I have says weak growth, another say vigerous growth, a third gives no indication. 

All say that it needs a good hot summer for the fruit to achieve the expected flavour. Long warm or hot summers have been in somewhat short supply over the last few years.

Seems to be a popular Essex variety, which is where it was found and grown, and that area of the UK can get warm dry summers - there is no indication of where the tree is being grown.

I should have said this is being grown on the edges of South London.