You're gonna have to prune that tree back. Hard.
Modern varieties aren't designed to live without humans keeping them trimmed. Too much weight of fruit without a corresponding increase in structural strength
Discussion
Thank you. In hindsight, I should have realized that, but was just so happy to see so much fruit. Should I cut one whole half of the split off? Or do you think simply trimming both sides extensively will be enough and it will self half?
Tough call! My gramps would totally have known what to do, I'm just a dilettante.
I'm worried about the tree dying back later from the exposed cut, however you prune. I fear the correct thing to do would be to cut off both sides of the split and put a thick layer of bitumen over the cut area. Leaving any branches above the split risks the split opening up again under their weight next season :(
Hopefully someone with professional experience chimes in!
Sorry for my delayed response, but thank you very much for your time and thoughts on how I can save the tree. I pruned it back pretty aggressively, so we shall see. Again thank you for your time.