Apple trees are a lot of work. We used to have six, but cut down three because, well, SIX! Some years later two got canker, so they came down. We have to have the last one sprayed to stay healthy. And if we wanted to eat the apples we'd have to spray to keep the bugs away. Which wouldn't be so bad if we only had to spray once, but we would have to spray after every rain! So, the bugs get the apples (the squirrels and rabbits get some, too.)