I have a spitz which is older than 10 years in the ground, espalier setup. It never blossoms, vegetative only. Recently read something that asked the question...."check spec to determine if fruit buds occur at the tips of last year's growth". Looking around I am not finding that information. Can someone enlighten me on the subject?
Of course I typically prune all of the tips off to maintain growth control. Is this why I am never seeing fruit blossoms develop?
VK
Interesting. I bought a Richared Delicious benchgraft from Bear Creek nursery nine years ago, and it never flowered. I grafted a Sweet Sixteen scion onto it four years ago (leaving one original RD branch), and even though the graft took and grows well, I still have never seen a blossom on that tree.
Some one told me a couple years ago, that the rootstock “knows†at what size the tree should flower and set fruit. He said maybe I have a standard rootstock, and by keeping it under 15 feet, the tree doesn’t think it’s big enough yet.
I don’t know how valid that is, but it sure seems like the rootstock is the determining factor. I’m going to take that tree out this year.
Van, I’ve just searched the net on Spitzenburgs, attempting to determine if they’re tip bearers; I have not found them listed as such. I have an (aprox.) 8 year old Spitz; it’s leggy, but produces well. I believe the buds / fruit spurs are further apart than most apples, but without running across the field with a flashlight … I’ll leave that thought in the air~
Has the tree reached its limit of travel, filling the available space on the trellis / wires? If fruit spurs never developed or were broken off, I doubt the tree can replace them? “Latent buds†exist within/beneath the bark, ready to establish new growth if the tree is damaged; but I’ve never heard of “Latent fruit spurs†developing after a limb is established. So, if you have a ‘static tree,’ unable to form new spurs due its size restriction, I presume you’re stuck with a non-productive apple tree 
I’ve never espaliered (deer), but have grafted, pruned and analyzed many. ...(Thinking out loud)- if you were to severely cut the tree back, stimulating those latent buds, thus new growth, it seems within that new growth would be potential fruit spurs; after 3 or 4 years further development…
This has got me thinking: How do mature apple trees regenerate new fruit spurs? They don’t last forever. I suspect from the rotational thinning / pruning that forces and allows for new growth. Here again, if an espaliered tree is locked into position - can this rejuvenation take place?
I have seen/ implemented flower and therefore berry growth on an Autumn olive plant that was huge, leggy, and without flowers or fruit for many years. I was about to chop it down. The next year after chopping back it shot out tons of fruit and berries. Coincidence? I don't know.
John S
PDX OR
Nearly too tired to think – what a magnificent day! Did so much in the yard / orchard I can’t remember! Anyway – I need to retract my description of the Spitzenburg having ‘more distance’ between buds than other apples… there are apples that have further spaced buds – but the Spitz's not one of them 
Didn’t know if I’d admit this to anyone… but standing in the sun today nearly brought tears to my eyes ~ “It’s seems like years since it’s been here†- then back to work!
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