I have a Spartan Apple trained as an espalier growing along a garden
wall. Earlier in the month the tree was covered with blossoms most of
which began to develop as small fruit. In the past 5 or 6 days the
majority of these fruit have fallen off the tree leaving very few. I
guess there must be a reason for this. Can someone explain?

In article , says...
I have a Spartan Apple trained as an espalier growing along a garden
wall. Earlier in the month the tree was covered with blossoms most of
which began to develop as small fruit. In the past 5 or 6 days the
majority of these fruit have fallen off the tree leaving very few. I
guess there must be a reason for this. Can someone explain?

There is something called the June drop where top friut trees loose
a fairly largr number of their small fruit as the tree does not have
enough energy to grow them all to size. This drop can be increased
if the tree gets very dry. (It has been wet for the last week or so
but it was very dry before that) How long have you had the tree BTW

Gill M

Peter
I have noticed a similar condition on my Charles Ross trees. I have
two thoughts
firstly as Gill suggests - an early June drop, but those falling are
very imature.
Second thought is the dry weather we had after blossom set. We had
close to 8 weeks with no rain worth mentioning, so I wondered if the
trees were just responding to conditions. Despite the rain, there are
patches in my garden where the sandy soil is still dry.
Have a look at the apples that have fallen - cut them open and see
what they are like with a hand lense. Any sign of insect damage,
particully around the blossom end of the fruit? If so the tree will
reject, and drop the apple.
Regards
Clifford
Bawtry, Doncaster, UK

Peter
I have noticed a similar condition on my Charles Ross trees. I have
two thoughts
firstly as Gill suggests - an early June drop, but those falling are
very imature.
Second thought is the dry weather we had after blossom set. We had
close to 8 weeks with no rain worth mentioning, so I wondered if the
trees were just responding to conditions. Despite the rain, there are
patches in my garden where the sandy soil is still dry.
Have a look at the apples that have fallen - cut them open and see
what they are like with a hand lense. Any sign of insect damage,
particully around the blossom end of the fruit? If so the tree will
reject, and drop the apple.
Regards
Clifford
Bawtry, Doncaster, UK

Gill Matthews Try the wrote:

In article ,
says...
I have a Spartan Apple trained as an espalier growing along a garden
wall. Earlier in the month the tree was covered with blossoms most of
which began to develop as small fruit. In the past 5 or 6 days the
majority of these fruit have fallen off the tree leaving very few. I
guess there must be a reason for this. Can someone explain?

There is something called the June drop where top friut trees loose
a fairly largr number of their small fruit as the tree does not have
enough energy to grow them all to size. This drop can be increased
if the tree gets very dry. (It has been wet for the last week or so
but it was very dry before that) How long have you had the tree BTW

Gill M
5 or 6 years this autumn if my memory serves me correctly.