[HesterF]

Over the winter we've planted lots of new fruit trees. I know they're not supposed to bear fruit for the first year or two but some are covered in blossom. Am I supposed to removed fruitlets and if so, at what stage?

H

[Dan]

Don't worry just now, wait until after the June drop - when the trees will naturally shed a percentage of fruits. Thin soon after this.

We planted 60 maiden apple trees last year and removed all fruit except one - I missed it first time around, and when we did see it we left it to see what would happen. It got to the size of a golf ball then dropped off the tree. 

[Bodger]

I was always told to take fruit off for the first few years, so that the tree can concentrate its efforts on creating a good root system. If you believe in this, then do remove all the fruit. However, last year was such a  poor year for fruit, I don't think I'm going to bother.