Apple tree renovation

Last year the very ancient apple trees in my neighbours' garden were all pruned by a local tree surgeon. They are all making good new growth but 2 are producing long leggy upright shoots with very few flower buds- we don't know what varieties they are. Does anyone know why? Are they what are called 'tip-bearers' as what buds there are are on the ends of the leggy shoots. They are still too high for me to get at, do I need to recall the tree surgeon?

 

I have a similar problem Liz, my apple tree must be about 100 years old. I have given up on the fruit and now use it as a support for "Pauls himmalayan" musk rose, and it is spectacular.

We get a few apples which my horse enjoyes in the Autumn, but the poor old tree sends these long shoots upwards. we cut them when we can get to them.

If you could get to your long shoots, I would prune them to shape your tree again.

 

The trouble is we sometimes let fruit trees get out of hand, I am particularly good at it. When action is finally taken the tree makes a lot of rapid growth. I would bring it back to half the new growth or more in the winter. I have been dealing with 2 apple trees last winter and they look quite sad but there are lots of flower buds, some almost open, I expect it to make a lot of new growth which I will reduce winter time.

 

Thanks both. I was wondering wether to prune some of the leggy shoots now to give it more time to produce more productive shoots next year.
3 of the 6 trees fruit well, the tree man was reluctant to remove any as we don't know if the nonfruiting ones were pollinating the fruiting ones. Sadly the nicest apples come from one of the trees which has loads of leggy growth with a single blossom right at the end!