Post #799950 by tikiskip on Sat, Jan 11, 2020 12:27 PM

"I always worry about its health. The yield seems to fluctuate yearly."

Check for ants at the base of the tree my favorite green apple tree was killed this year by ants building a nest in the base of the tree.
Not my tree it was in a park but I do go and pick apples every year.

Also feed it, not sure but I think spring and summer is the time to do it.
It will make a big difference in your yield.

Remember lots of rain can leach out the nutrients and even keep the bees from pollinating the flowers too, bet your bad yield years were the rainy ones.
On the other hand no rain can be bad for sure, but you can water the tree in that case.

Also if you go to your tree with a paint brush and pollinate that tree by hand you will be amazed how much that helps.
Did that with tomato's this year and they went nuts, and we have five bee keepers in our area, lazy bees.

Good luck.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/citrus/fertilizing-citrus-trees-best-practices-for-citrus-fertilizing.htm