If you notice fruits dropping from the sky around you, don’t be alarmed – gardening whiz Monty Don reveals the crucial reason why these two trees drop their fruit in June
Some trees drop fruit in June(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
If you notice two common trees suddenly pelting down fruit in June, there’s no need to be alarmed – gardening expert Monty Don explains that this is very normal process.
Early summer is when many trees experience rapid growth. The increase in sunlight and daytime temperatures allows them to expand their canopies and thicken their trunks. It also accelerates their photosynthesis, which converts light into energy the plant can use to grow. For some trees, this also means ripening fruit.
This can also result in a somewhat strange phenomenon in which certain trees will drop their fruit, seemingly for no reason. However, Monty explains that this is actually an important, and necessary, process.
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Some trees drop their fruit in June(Image: Peter Dazeley via Getty Images)
Monty wrote in his blog: “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 known as the ‘June Drop’.”
He explained: “The tree is just reducing the quantity of fruit they carry in order to successfully ripen those that remain.” By expelling some fruits, energy can be redirected to others, allowing them to grow to their full potential.
But he warned that trees are “indiscriminate” about which fruits they let go. For that reason, he advises removing the smaller fruits from your tree before it makes the decision for you.
Trees will drop excess fruit to conserve nutrients (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
In terms of how to use your fallen pears and apples, these often make great food sources for birds and other wildlife, so you can choose to leave them if you wish. But, be warned, they will also attract pests.
Rodents and foxes will be attracted to the sweet fruit, which can result in other issues in your garden. They may chew up your other plants or even spread nasty diseases.
Another option is to throw your dropped apples or pears into a compost pile. These fruits are incredibly nitrogen-rich, which will give other plants a massive boost.
Dropped apples and pears can be added to your compost(Image: ArtMarie via Getty Images)
Although, if you are adding your fruit to a compost pile, make sure you balance it with “brown” materials like fallen leaves, cardboard or twigs. Otherwise you risk fermenting your fruit.
Fermenting apples can produce a horrible smell, akin to sulphur or rotten eggs, which will stink up your garden. Pears can also produce a similar odour once they ferment.
While it’s generally not advisable to eat fallen apples directly from the ground, you can also turn them into food. They make great jams, pie filling and even vinegar.