Disappearing Apples

[Bowsnbucks]

I noticed that some of the trees that had apples / crabapples on them have none now. No evidence of bears at all, and deer could not have reached them ( they were in the interior of the trees - in the center of large cages ). I don't think coons either - no broken small branches or disturbed small leaflets / twigs. Could squirrels be the culprit ?? Or dry weather made apples drop off the trees ?? ( In which case mice, skunks, opossums may have eaten them after falling ).

Any ideas guys ?? I don't know if dry weather would make apples drop or not. Really in the dark - no evidence of coons. I believe they would have caused damage of some sort because the limbs are such small diameter. Any info will be helpful.

 

[wiscwhip]

A trail camera sounds like it is in order, but it might be too late now?

 

[Native Hunter]

I had an apple to fall out of my oak tree the other day while I was standing there watching it hit the ground.

Later found pears under the oak tree.

I've narrow it down to something with a bushy tail.....

 

[chummer]

I was up two weeks ago and it has been so dry the trees were dropping apples like leaves in October. We finally have a good apple year and they are all dropping in August. Drought will definitely cause apples to drop

 

[woodduck]

My guess is the same your guess. Its been very dry here and a lot of my wild apples have been dropping some of there fruit prematurely. My only guess was because of droughty weather.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

Bears were ruled out from lack of messy damage and deer couldn't possibly reach in thru concrete mesh to where the apples were. No apples or apple parts on the ground. We haven't had a really big dry spell at this time of the summer the last few years, so no experience with droughty conditions and what that might do to apples. That's why I asked you guys what you've seen at your places. Squirrels or drought makes sense from the evidence I found. Thanks for the help, gents. Any other thoughts are welcome.

 

[Buckly]

Take 2 apples. Tie one up in the tree and put the other on the ground. Place camera to catch culprit.

 

[yoderjac]

How about coons? They can be pretty sneaky. Let us know what you find.

 

[Merle Hawggard]

I had an older apple tree on the farm when I bought the place in 06 that was covered in apples, just starting to turn red, in the first half of July. I took my wife up the next week to show her and no trace of an Apple could be found.
I blamed it on squirrels though it could just as easily been Bigfoot.

 

[Maya]

What varieties are they?

 

[H20fwler]

I would think raccoons...they are diabolical and sneaky!

 

[wiscwhip]

I would think raccoons...they are diabolical and sneaky!

That's why they wear a mask!!!

 

[Bowsnbucks]

Maya - Goldrush ( 3 trees ), Trailman crab, Centennial crab, Liberty, and Enterprise are the varieties now missing. Dolgo, Hyslop, and Kerr are still on the trees.

I really doubt it was coons because some of the limbs where the apples were are so thin ( dia. ), I would think one of the trees would show some broken limbs. We have BOATLOADS of squirrels. What about crows and ravens ?? We have a lot of both of those too. I've never seen either actually eat an apple, but they both eat corn, garbage, roadkill, peas on the pod, etc. Could they be the culprits ?? I don't own a game cam ( as of now ), but I'm going to buy a couple for the fall's use. One of the camp members has about 6 or 7 of them, but none watching the apple trees at camp. If I place them ( mine ) tomorrow - it's too late for those trees.

The good news is - since the recent rain and heat / humidity, our 3 fields of corn at camp have developed ears on 95% of the stalks. A few weeks ago, we were wondering if it would make ears to have fall/winter food. Now it looks great. That should keep the squirrels busy and then let the apples alone, if they are the culprits.