Owner's comments
Plot 1
Close to the edge of the canopy of a large Oak tree, this tree is in competition for water with the Oak and needs monitoring as it lost a lot of leaves in it's first year before I was aware of quick drying soil problem. Due to the rainfall in 2012, I've only had to give it additional water twice this year.
It has been hit hard with mildew but responded well to chemical treatment within a couple of days. Although more than 50% of it's leaves were damaged this year it has produced three apples and a reasonable amount of growth. I have started feeding this tree with a liquid fertilizer and it has just started to respond with some fresh leaf growth this week.