Braeburn Apple tree problem

Hi Simon,
Im not an expert but one of my patio apples did something similar last year.
This year I gave it some blood, fish and bone and have watered it almost every day. I will soon be thinning out the apples growing on it as there must be over 200, and the tree is only 5' tall.

The problem is powdery mildew - and it looks like it has reached a serious level. If you search my past postings and topics, you'll find more info and probably some pictures.

Many apple varieties that are sold in shops are very prone to disease, since the growers are able to use full spray programmes to keep the trees healthy - the apples being bred for supermarket requirements, not for disease resistance.

There is no treatment for infected leaves or shoots - on young trees, the mildew should be pruned out at the first sign, otherwise it will spread further and may seriously stunt the tree. The fungus is capable of incorporating itself into the stems during the winter, ready to re-emerge the following spring to infect an even greater portion of the tree. In my earlier apple-growing years, I lost a few apple trees to overwhelming mildew infection - the trees were crippled to the point of being completely useless (no growth, no fruit - just one great powdery mess).

Organic growers should stay away from the popular varieties and look at varieties originating from their local area.

You don't mention where you live, which can make a big difference as to which apple varieties will thrive in your area.