diff --git a/datafusion/core/src/physical_optimizer/enforce_sorting.rs b/datafusion/core/src/physical_optimizer/enforce_sorting.rs
index 27bd71d41393..b4a4863dc199 100644
--- a/datafusion/core/src/physical_optimizer/enforce_sorting.rs
+++ b/datafusion/core/src/physical_optimizer/enforce_sorting.rs
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ use crate::physical_plan::{
     with_new_children_if_necessary, Distribution, ExecutionPlan, InputOrderMode,
 };
 
-use datafusion_common::tree_node::{Transformed, TreeNode, VisitRecursion};
+use datafusion_common::tree_node::{Transformed, TreeNode};
 use datafusion_common::{plan_err, DataFusionError};
 use datafusion_physical_expr::{PhysicalSortExpr, PhysicalSortRequirement};
 use datafusion_physical_plan::repartition::RepartitionExec;
@@ -149,21 +149,6 @@ impl TreeNode for PlanWithCorrespondingSort {
         self.children_nodes.iter().collect()
     }
 
-    fn apply_children<F>(&self, op: &mut F) -> Result<VisitRecursion>
-    where
-        F: FnMut(&Self) -> Result<VisitRecursion>,
-    {
-        for child in self.children_nodes() {
-            match op(child)? {
-                VisitRecursion::Continue => {}
-                VisitRecursion::Skip => return Ok(VisitRecursion::Continue),
-                VisitRecursion::Stop => return Ok(VisitRecursion::Stop),
-            }
-        }
-
-        Ok(VisitRecursion::Continue)
-    }
-
     fn map_children<F>(mut self, transform: F) -> Result<Self>
     where
         F: FnMut(Self) -> Result<Self>,