Shoots on my apple tree already !!

[whitbybabe]

My apple tree has lots of new shoots coming from it already.I assume the mild winter we are having has contributed to this,but I am wondering if it will bear fruit any earlier ? The apples are usually ready late August.

[Thunderbird+]

Yes, it may well produce fruit earlier this year but the trouble with unseasonably mild spells in winter is that, sometimes the blossoms can be damaged by late surprise frosts in the spring, which can often result in a poor harvest, I remember this happening to my trees a few years ago, I think I ended up with a grand total of two apples that year :-(
Good Luck Tbird+

[janetsflower]

The trouble is we will probably get frosts before the winter is out and this will kill off lots of the shoots and you might not end up with apples at all - depending on the size of your tree it might be worth protecting it or a part of it with horticultural fleece if we get a sudden cold snap

[whitbybabe]

Thanks for both replies.xx