When we moved into our house in 1999, we were given 2 4 ft. apple trees as a house warming present. One tree was killed immediately by our dog who had quite a fun time with it, but we planted the other one.

It was pretty much neglected for several years and barely grew, and all of the branches on one side and the top died. We pruned these off, leaving the tree looking really awful.

Starting 2 years ago, I started giving the tree deep waterings during dry times, as we've had a run of dry summers. The growth has picked up, but no new growth is coming out of one side of the tree.

This year, a vigorous sprout has grown out of the root collar right above the ground and is about 2 feet tall.

I am considering just cutting the tree off right above the new sprout and letting that become the new tree, and then going to find a new apple tree to pollinate it with.

I understand that sprouts usually aren't as healthy as the original tree.. but it's either this or just digging it out of the ground, and with a well established root system, I'd like to keep it. I've since mulched around the tree and fertilized it and it looks much healthier.