Apple trees have been around for centuries and have been part of countless ecosystems. The universal question why apples fall from the tree can be difficult to answer due to its complex nature. There are however a few major factors which contribute to why apples fall from the tree.
Firstly, the weight of apple fruit increases as it ripens and can cause it to pull down the stem it grows from. Apples also contain a volatile gas called ethylene which is seen as a ripening agent and triggers the ripening process in the apple fruit when at its highest concentration. This in turn can cause fruits to become detached from the stem.
Next, the environment factors play a role in why apples fall from the tree. This could include extreme winds, heavy rain and hail, or even animals shaking or pushing branches with apples on them as they move around. Considering apples are not as well anchored to the tree as typical hardwood trunk fruits, the slightest pressure or environmental factor can cause apples to detach from the tree.
Thirdly, apple trees are subject to certain diseases, pests and fungi. In the case of pests, some may feed on the apples themselves, while others such as caterpillars, may feed on the leaves and branches. Fungi, such as black leaf spot, can cause apples to rot and drop off the tree. Additionally, diseases such as scab and brown rot can cause apples to drop.
Fourthly, the age of the tree is often a contributing factor. As apple trees age, they produce fewer and smaller apples. The apples that are produced are more fragile and often become detached too easily. The leaves can also become dry, fall off, and detach apples in the process.
Severity of Dropping Apples
Apple dropping can be a considerable problem for orchard owners. This is due to several factors; firstly, depending on the size and weight that apples can be when full-grown, a single dropped apple can damage any susceptible plant beneath it. Additionally, dropples apples can cause further pests and diseases, especially if the apples are not removed from the orchard in a timely manner.
Furthermore, dropped apples can lead to the spread of bacteria, fungi, or parasites and if caught early, may be able to be resolved; however, this can depend on the type of pest or disease present. Also, apple dropping can lead to excessive nutrient competition, as fallen apples decay they release large amounts of nitrogen and other minerals which can lead to an increase in turf grass and weed presence.
Moreover, dropples apples can cause a significant decrease in the yield of the entire orchard as apples need to be harvested before maturity in order to maintain apple quality and shelf life. Additionally, dropped apples can cause surrounding apples to become diseased and rotten, as well as affecting the development of other fruits on the tree.
Re-Harvesting and Preventative Measures
One way of mitigating the impacts of dropples apples is to re-harvest them and to use them within juicing processes, as juice extracted from apples that are unable to be eaten is still usable in this manner.
However, this can still lead to an overall decrease in profits, as it can be more profitable to sell whole apples, not just the juice. Additionally, other preventative measures such as using netting around the tree, planting trees in well-drained soils, and removing pests and diseases can help detract the amount of apples that fall from the tree.
Finally, the use of preventative measures and re-harvesting of apples is not only beneficial for orchardists in terms of increasing yields and profits, but also has beneficial environmental impacts as it reduces food waste and helps to conserve soil, water and energy resources.
Impacts of Apple Extreme Dropping
In the event of extreme apple dropping, an orchardist may experience major losses in their apple production. For example, if a large amount of apples drop over a short period of time, the orchardist may face a significant decrease in profit as they are unable to maximize their yields by selling only full-grown apples. This can be especially damaging to the orchardist’s business if the season is approaching harvest time.
Moreover, extreme apple dropping can have major impacts on the health of a tree as the falling fruit can cause severe damage to the limbs, leaves and flowers, thus negatively affecting future yields. Also, apple dropping can cause large amounts of nutrients to be lost, as when apples are consumed they pass through the entire body of the animal consuming them, which helps to complete the cycle of nutrients and minerals in the soil.
Extreme apple dropping can also affect the health of soil. As the apples fall and rot, they are releasing large amounts of nitrogen and other minerals, which can act as fertilisers for the surrounding plants. This can be beneficial in some cases, however if the minerals are lost to leaching before the plants are able to use them then this can result in nutrient depletion.
Furthermore, apple dropping can lead to a decrease in pollinators, as certain pollinators may not be able to access the flowers of the tree due to the falling fruit. This can then lead to a decrease in the number of flowers and therefore, a decrease in the number of apples produced by the tree in future years.
Mitigation of Dropping Apples
It is important to mitigate extreme apple dropping in order to reduce the impacts it can have on orchard yields and the surrounding environment. One way of doing this is by using preventative measures such as netting, as this can act as a physical deterrent to pests and animals trying to feed on apples and other fruits in the orchard. There are also plants, such as elders, which act as natural repellents to pest species, and can therefore be planted around the tree in order to discourage pests from the area.
Additionally, the use of netting and other non-chemical control methods can greatly reduce the amount of apples that fall from the tree. This is beneficial to both the orchardists and the environment as it minimises food waste, increases yields, and reduces the impact of orchard pests and diseases.
Moreover, netting can provide support to the apple fruits, reducing the risk of apples dropping prematurely. Finally, netting can also allow more light to reach the fruit, which can be beneficial to the growth and development of the fruit and can improve the overall yield of the tree.