North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Jwlehman@aol.com]

In a message dated 10/17/2014 2:16:51 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
sherwindu@att.net writes:

Three of  our apple trees in our small backyard orchard were damaged this 
year, probably  by winter weather.  One of them lost all it's lateral 
branches and  another about half.  What is now appearing is new growth above 
the 
graft  that resembles water sprouts, but these are coming out of what remains 
of the  main trunk and not any lateral branches.  My understanding is that 
water  sprouts coming out of lateral branches do not produce any fruit.  Can 
the  same be said about this growth coming off the main trunk?  I am hoping  
this new growth can eventually turn into a revived tree.  It is strange  
that what appears to be total destruction can recover.
It isn't as much they are "water sprouts" as much as they are  vertical. In 
Malus vertical limbs bear few fruit, but there are exceptions.  Vertical 
limbs can be forced horizontal and then should bear more fruit. Without  
seeing the tree my suggestion is next spring prune those new growth vertical  
limbs to one, it should become a central leader and develop horizantal  limbs 
which should then bear fruit. My guess is you are three years from  fruiting 
again.