I have a dwarf apple tree that is in its 3rd year. Its limbs are quite low to the ground and I'm wanting to take them off. Fruit produced this year is small and sparse, but it is unusually hot and we had a very low-rain winter. The tree has heavier spreading branches at the bottom and smaller branches toward the top. It only about 5' tall. Should I take off the fuller limb just above the ground?
Yes you can probably prune off the lowest branches without harm, just don't strip it up too high, not more than 10 to 20 % of the foliage. Try not to expose the stem to hot afternoon sun, or the result can be sunburn of the bark and underlying growing layer and progressive decay.
Deep water once a week and apply mulch to the soil surface to help retain soil moisture.
Use dormant spray at least twice in winter, horticultural oil and copper, to suppress overwintering fungi and insect pest eggs and larvae. Spray 70% neem oil during the growing season as a preventive for pests and fungal disorders.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/fegen/different-fruit-tree-forms.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/fegen/fruit-tree-pruning.htm
Attached picture of miniature apple tree. As you can see lots of blossom flowers. Question is do I leave all on or cut off and just leave one or two per stalk?
It isn't necessary. Most apples are self-thinning. You can still help it along, but it will do perfectly fine without it.
Here are some articles to help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/apples/apple-tree-planting.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/apples/how-to-thin-apple-trees.htm
Can you tell us what to do about this disease that appears every year on our two pixie apple trees? If we can't get rid of it, will the apples be safe to eat? Thanks
This is Cedar-Apple Rust. This disease can be managed, but not likely cured.
Here is an article that will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/apples/how-cedar-apple-rust-affect-apples.htm
the leaves . Question is can I spray it now or do I wait until winter also would the fruit be edible ? I also have a pear tree patio and no fruit and brown patches on the leaves
Here's an article about apple scab that will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/apples/treating-apple-scab-fungus.htm
Here's an article that will help you with your non-bearing pear tree: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/pear/no-pears-on-tree.htm
The times for spraying your trees are dependent upon your local weather and temperatures. The following is an article about spraying fruit trees: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/fegen/fruit-tree-spraying.htm
I don't have a huge garden but have a decent front garden bed that i am wanting to plant some fruit trees in. I have seen a nice looking dwarf red apple tree at my local bunnings, on the tag it says plant with granny smith, or a couple of other varieties, but i am wondering if I buy two of these dwarf trees will they pollinate each other, or do they have to be planted with a non dwarf tree. Thank you
It's not that two dwarfs can't pollinate each other, but that it has to be two different varieties of the same species (apple). Two trees of the same variety won't cross pollinate. You need to find another dwarf of a different variety that has a similar bloom period. Your local Cooperative Extension office has tables that show what varieties will pollinate each tree.
Also, if a neighbor has a flowering crabapple, it can pollinate your tree.
Bare root trees can be planted when it's cool from fall to spring.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/propagation/propgen/bare-root-planting.htm