being kinder to my apple trees

Hi. I have 3 pretty well established dwarf apple trees on my plot. They do a fine job of producing lots of apples for me (especially my Worcester Apple), but I'm letting them down by not protecting them from bugs. The poor things are riddled with worm.  I am determined to do better by them. I'd appreciate any guidance on what I can do and when.
Thanks.

Just a word of warning. In some cases grease bands can do more harm than good. I had them on my trees when I moved in and when I replaced them it was actually the nail in the coffin for one tree. So I no longer use them. Winter wash will also kill the goodies as well as the baddies - I don't know how fussed you are. If you grow a happy healthy tree it will be able to fight off a lot of issues. So winter prune for air flow and shape. Remove dead and diseased branches asap. Clear all competing plants from the base of the tree (from the trunk to the drip line) then top dress.

Good luck with whatever you decide 

Many thanks, both. Norfolkgrey, can I ask in what way the grease bands harmed your tree? I think I'm going to give them a go as my trees are generally strong and healthy,  other than the wormy fruit!  so it would be good to know what to look out for if they are getting damaged. I 'll need to put them on in the next few weeks I take it?

Am a bit squeamish about the pheremone trap I think. So we'll see how desperate I become.

Damage varied from tree to tree but basically it trapped moisture, caused rotting, lifting of bark, a haven for crawlies. The tree I lost was due to crown rot but the grease band didn't do it any favours. 

 

I know some people that have used them for years with no issues but I think it is good to be aware of both sides. As Babby says maybe try putting it on during the active period and remove it during colder might be a good idea. Oh and they are easy to remove, just sticky and gunky 

Last year my apples where riddled with codling moth damage. This year I used a winter tree wash, and a pheremone trap. It caught numerous codling moths. I also sprayed the apples with pesticide and "maxicrop" which is supposed to improve fruit quality. This year the apples look beautiful. Trunky

I feel I#ve done my apple trees a bit of a dis-service now    They do, certainly, have a bug problem this year. But the ones that I have managed to crop really are a fabulous apple. I love the Worcester. Red and shiney, with a sufficiently firm bite, but so wonderfully fragrant. Beautiful. ANd hopefully even more of this heaven next year after their tlc