Apple Tree Care Suggestions

[luis_pr]

I would appreciate suggestions (do's and don't) to take care of some 3-4(?) year old Granny Smith, Golden Delicious and Gala trees. I am not having problems with them but wanted to hear how people fertilize it, prune it, water it, etc. I live in the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas Area (Z8). Of special interest, I have two topics: (1) how do you know the fruit is ready for picking and (2) how to prune them? The trees were planted years ago and have not been pruned since. The only care they get is some fertilizing, mulching and removal of grass near the base. They must be at leat 10' by now. I have never eaten the fruit but I am sure someone has because when I suddenly remember about the apples, there are none left... I am guessing the squirrels had a party around Halloween. TIA, Luis