Cortland Apple tree

Owner's comments

In 2011 and 2012 the tree struggled to make headway under attacks from aphids, ants, and mites. Rusty leaves, and whole branches whose leaves curled and got brittle and silverish. 2013 watered in nematodes on lawn to slow down ant aphid-farmers, sprayed tree with soap, added praying mantis, welcomed ladybugs when they joined the party. Pinch off the most infected leaves as they appear. The pests seem to be more under control this year. It's been an unusually wet July, so no drying out for long. 3 to 4 feet of growth on multiple leaders. Grafted two other varieties on this spring, extremely successful. Also raked in a bag of composted manure into lawn around tree. Using combination of training with anchored ropes and pruning of conflicted growth.