Ask Gerry

My apple trees are infested with scale insects, the little ones --- about 3mm long and les than 1mm wide. It takes forever to scrape them off with a knife. Have you any suggestions for getting rid of them, (preferably organic)

I burn only dry timber in my fire (no coal). I was wondering what to do with ashes? Is it too early to spread around fruit bushes? Should I keep it to spread later on in the summer around bushes or could it be put in the compost heap? Or do the ashes have any great value at all?

When is the best time for pruning back 'very old' apple trees?

Problems with spots in the flesh of cooking apples from my tree. They are brown and the fruit is peppered, but the outside skins look perfect?

I have a 5 year old apple tree which has always blossomed but never produced apples until this year. Mind you the fruit was poorly. I recently noticed what appears to be canker on the trunk of the tree just where it branches outwards. I have checked previous questions and you suggest potash and also to cut the canker out. I was just wondering would it be necessary to cut it out of this tree considering it's position on the tree.

Diseased young apple trees? spray with Jeyes Fluid now? wasp nest in compost heap

How would I go about pruning an old apple tree 30 x20 ft high?

I attach a photo of an apple growing in my back garden . I thought I purchased a Bramley apple but it's not. I have it 2 yrs. Originally I planted it in a border but the fruit was making the branches sag, so before last winter I transplanted it to a back wall where it is supported - fanned out. Photo shows l apple with 2 cores - I call it my "Siamese apple." Its a novelty to me - have you seen this before?

My apples are small this year. I sprayed the base with weed killer earlier and I wonder if that could be the reason.

Fruit from tree this year has small hole in it and inside is rotten. Don't think its an earwig, any ideas what it could be? I've attached a photo if it helps.

I have been growing two apple trees in pots, and they are going into their second year of winter. I am asking if you think they would be able to survive the winter outdoors at this young stage and if they will loose their leaves. Also, should I continue fertilising throughout winter?