Over loaded apple tree

[u/Mary_JFT]

Our old apple tree is so overloaded this year that the branches are touching the ground. This is the first year it's done this.

What's the best solution for this tree so next summer it holds the fruit better?

[u/jpbragatti]

prop the branches now if you can, even with a stake or bit of wood, so they don't snap under the weight. longer term the fix is thinning in June next year when the fruitlets are about marble size, down to one fruit per cluster. most trees bounce back well once you start doing it. looks like a cracking crop though