[Anton]

A huge branch with lots and lots of apples on it has fallenoff one of the three apple trees on our allotment. It is hanging by a thread and one of the garderners wants to try and save it until the apples are ripe (I suppose, although he hasn't said, that he wants to put a support underneath then wrapping material around the part where it is severed).  Do you think this is worth doing, if not any suggestions about what to do with the apples?

Anton

[Kleftiwallah]

Personally I would go to any lengths to save a crop.  This chap (it would be a chap) ! ! has the right idea.  Get on with it.  Any apples not saved can be saved on the compost heap!   (Don't tell the the gardener is a girlie)!          Cheers,   Tony.

[sunshineband]

If it helps, I did this with a hazel tree and used insulating tape directly onto the tree branch that was broken, then over wrapped it with more tape to attach wooden splints.

Worked a treat -- took about 6 months or so to mend.

With the apple tree you would need to securely support the branch underneath to take the weigh off the join, and make sure it is not rubbing on the support. A 'bandage' made of cloth strips would work here to protect the bark.

[Trillium]

I had this happen to one of my peach trees last summer. We did prop it up and kept the tree watered and the fruit did ripen. The silly branch kept growing this spring and I thought fantastic! But soon as I moved it to mow the grass below, it severed whatever thin lifeline kept it going so its now all trimmed off, which is what I should have done after fruiting (but just couldn't bring myself to do at the time).

[Anton]

Thanks a lot, everyone, for the advice.

Anton