Question
I have and apple tree which has been in the garden for at least 14 years some of the tree leaves are shrivelled and dead and the fruits are all craking open.  At first it was just like a insect infection so used a fruit bug gun which seemed to clear up for a short while. But now it just seems to be dying. Any suggestions?

Answer
Your problems are systemic.  The bug gun only killed the bugs on the outside.  The real problem is in the phloem of the tree.  The bacteria is cutting off the nutrient supply to the fruit and limbs.  You can cut it back really hard and hope for the best.  I would recommend a product called Atomic Grow but its only available in the states.  I get so many calls from UK I need to set up a dist there.

James