10/09/2026
Are your apples or pears dropping early?
Early fruit drop is surprisingly common and most of the time, it’s a natural survival trick. When a tree is stressed or lacking something essential, it sheds some fruit to save energy and protect itself.
Common causes of early fruit drop:
❌ Water stress - if a tree isn’t getting enough water, it drops fruit to conserve moisture
❌ Pest damage - insects like codling moth burrow into fruit, causing the tree to reject it early
❌ Nutrient imbalance - too little calcium or too much nitrogen can stop fruit staying attached
❌ Heavy crop load - trees often shed excess fruit when they’ve produced more than the branches can safely support
How to help prevent early fruit drop:
✅ Water deeply and regularly, especially during hot, dry spells
✅ Thin the fruit in spring so the tree isn’t overloaded later in the season
✅ Check for pests and use safe, natural methods or traps to keep fruit healthy
If you’d like more in‑depth advice about your tree, give Mike a call - he’ll be happy to help.