What age do you allow a big fruit

[Charman03]

Age 4 or 5 do you typically let it do it’s thing?

 

[H20fwler]

Whenever the limbs look like they can take it, normally five years for me. If a really heavy fruit set on young tree I'll still thin them. I get a lot of wind so that determines how much I leave on younger trees, crabs aren't a big deal but pears and large apples are.

 

[SwampCat]

Also, consider various fruit eaters. Coons will absolutely destroy a five year old tree at my place. I am just glad we dont have bears - yet.

 

[Turkey Creek]

I would say by age 4 - 5 you are fine setting a decent crop, but you should use the growth of the tree to determine how much fruit you allow it to bear. Also depends on root stock and support system but that is likely a consideration for a commercial apple grower.