Apple tree release

I'm caring for several very large and old apple trees in a wooded setting. My goal is to get these trees to produce fruit for wildlife. These trees haven't had any attention for over 40 years. Many of the trees have long since died due to loosing in the competition for sunlight from more vigorously growing native trees such as elm and ash. I have been removing all the brush underneath and around the trees and cutting down anything that is shading them. Dead wood is being removed and branches are being thinned and all grape vines cut off at ground level. Over the next few years I will remove more of the unproductive branches and let new growth take it's place. I will cut back the grass and any regrowth of woody plants a couple of times a year so that the apples will have little competition for water and nutrients.

I would think that over time just about any apple tree pest or disease is present among these trees. If the goal is to produce food for wildlife is there any reason to try to control these possible attacks on the apples? I am using an organic approach. Should I also be fertilizing?

I'd not bother to control pests - a maggoty apple is just extra protein, as far as birds are concerned. For fertiliser, just shred the pruned stuff into a mulch for them, no need to add any extra nutrients.

I'd also perhaps be inclined to leave at least some of the grapes, as those too are a very important food resource for many birds and animals.

Resin

While I admire the effort to conserve the aged trees, I wonder if you ought to also consider vegetatively propagating these senior citizens (from softwood cuttings of new growth) and getting some young vigorous clones off to a new start in a better situation. It sounds like you are trying to work against a natural succession condition.

If there is no opportunity to plant new propagules elsewhere, then so be it. Water and fertilizer (based on a soil test) are the necessary ingredients. I'd agree with Resin, and not worry about foliar or insect pests in this instance.

The property where these apples are located is close to 200 acres with most of it wooded with a great diversity of trees and wildlife present. It's my goal to add to the sources of food for a wide variety of animals. I'm creating brush piles which are giving cover to ground nesting birds and various other animals. I'm also removing exotics from the area and planting such things as American filbert, silky dogwood, northern pecan, buartnut (butternut x heartnut cross) and several oak species. Over the years I will plant other trees and bushes to add to the collection. I also see the value in saving grape vines and only remove them from apple trees that show a good chance of being revived. I've actually thought of planting grapes next to the brush piles that I have been making.

VV, yes I am working against the natural succession of the area. If I did nothing these old apples would continue to disappear into the woods. It's their beauty and the food source that they offer that has me working to save them. The attached picture is of one of the area that I worked at last fall. It might be possible for you to see the green flagging showing the location of an apple, brush piles, girdled trees to become snags for wildlife and smaller trees that I'm taking out for firewood for our cook stove.