Monty Don explains why apples have been falling off trees

The horticulturist and broadcaster is known for his work on Gardeners’ World and has offered advice on countless gardening topics.

In a recent video posted on the Gardeners’ World Instagram account, he discussed a recent phenomenon people might have noticed in their gardens and allotments.

This relates to apple trees dropping their fruit far earlier than expected.

Monty Don has shared that this isn’t something to be worried about, as it’s related to the prolonged dry weather that the UK has experienced.

Monty Don explains why apples are falling off fruit tree branches

The 71-year-old explained that some apples falling from trees is in direct response to drought as it’s seeking to protect itself.

He said: “If you find your apple trees are dropping apples left, right and centre, don’t worry, it’s a result of the drought, but the tree is looking after itself.

“All these apples, which are covering the ground, are no windfalls that have dropped because they’re ripe.

“These are apples that are half ripe that the trees have jettisoned.

“The tree is running out of water.

“The fruit are taking up a huge amount of that water.

“In order to save some fruit they have dropped apples.

“Now, it might seem like a disaster, but actually it means that the tree is responding to drought and handling it.”

Gardeners relieved to hear explanation about falling apples

Many gardeners said they felt reassured by Monty Don’s explanation.

One person commented: “Thank you, I was so worring [sic], not only my apple trees, also the big pear tree, fifty of them every day on the ground.”

Another wrote: “Glad to know Monty, my apple tree that I usually get loads from dropped all their apples and I have one left.”

A third said simply: “How clever is the apple tree.”

However, not everyone agreed that the situation was harmless.

One person commented: “I disagree @gardenersworldtv it is a disaster we should worry.

“Our native trees in particular can’t bounce back from drought for ever.

“This is happening across the country.

“Where trees can be watered in our gardens (by hand) they can’t in the countryside so every crab apple and hawthorn just as an example are completely reliant on what falls from the sky.

“We should all be very concerned.”

Another added: “Well, it is a disaster because yields are hugely down, due to severe drought… our food security has been impacted by the extreme weather this year.

“Yes, the tree is responding to drought, but because it is very stressed.

“Trees may be lost, especially young, dwarf or potted trees are at risk of dying.”

Have you noticed apples falling off trees in recent weeks? Let us know in the comments.