In June, if you observe two common trees suddenly dropping fruit, there is no need for alarm. Gardening expert Monty Don has clarified that this is a completely normal occurrence.
During early summer, many trees experience a period of rapid growth. The increased sunlight and daytime temperatures enable them to expand their canopies and thicken their trunks. This also accelerates their photosynthesis, converting light into energy that the plant can use to grow. For some trees, this period also means that their fruit begins to ripen. However, this can sometimes lead to a seemingly strange phenomenon where certain trees will drop their fruit for what appears to be no reason. Monty Don, however, explains that this is actually an important and necessary process.
In a recent blog post, Monty Don wrote, “If your apple or pear trees suddenly deposit hundreds of small fruits on the ground, you might feel something is going horribly wrong, but this is perfectly normal and is known as the ‘June Drop’.”
He further explained, “The tree is simply reducing the quantity of fruit it carries in order to successfully ripen those that remain.” By shedding some fruits, the tree can redirect its energy to the remaining ones, allowing them to grow to their full potential. However, Monty Don warns that trees are “indiscriminate” about which fruits they let go. Therefore, he advises gardeners to remove the smaller fruits from their trees before the tree makes the decision for them.
When it comes to dealing with the fallen pears and apples, they can serve as excellent food sources for birds and other wildlife, so you may choose to leave them on the ground. However, be aware that they will also attract pests. Rodents and foxes will be drawn to the sweet fruit, which can lead to other issues in your garden. They may damage your other plants or even spread diseases.
Another option is to add the dropped apples or pears to a compost pile. These fruits are highly nitrogen-rich, which can provide a significant boost to other plants. However, if you are adding fruit to a compost pile, it is important to balance it with “brown” materials such as fallen leaves, cardboard, or twigs. Otherwise, you risk fermenting the fruit, which can produce an unpleasant smell similar to sulfur or rotten eggs and can stink up your garden.
While it is generally not advisable to eat fallen apples directly from the ground, they can still be turned into food. Fallen apples can be used to make jams, pie fillings, and even vinegar.
