Apple trees

[Razzle09]

I have four apple trees and every year for the past ten years we have had a really show of apples ..this year we have had absolutely nowt.
I have been told that this is due to the low count of bees in the country. Seemingly there's not enough to pollinate! Any ideas.

[Clanad]

I've kept bees for a number of years after learning the craft from my grandfather... there has been a serious affliction of bees nearly all over the world fir about the last 5 years or so. So bad, I might add that the until now unknown malady has its own name... CCD, standing for Colony Collapse Disorder. Scientists feel they have finally determined the cause (a combination of mites, virus' and lack of genetic diversity) and they are making a slow comeback, at least here in the U.S.

Last spring we had fairly standard blooms on our apple trees here in the western U.S., but had very few apples and some trees had none at all. We're quite careful as to pruning and the winter was no more severe than usual. I had cleaned out my hives and had no bees. Neighbors that alsokeep bees had only a few depleted hives. The connection is obvious to me.

[coccinelle]

Was there any chance there was a frost at the time of the blossom? This happened to us last year and got no fruit, whereas though it was a hard winter this year there were no late frosts and we've got loads of fruit this year.
I'm in France.

[Razzle09]

Hi Clanad and Coccinelle
Many thanks for your response. I'm posting from Belfast in Northern Ireland where the weather is very inconsistent at the moment. Lost a very old outdoor tortoise earlier this year and she came out of hibernation too early.

Sorry Clanad to hear about your bees. I'm particularly fod of the little creatures - quite beautiful - and I understand that they are very sociable. I am glad to hear that their numbers are increasing.

Cocinelle as to the frost I'm just not sure - no signs fof frost bite but you just never know. :-)

[katerich48]

My apple tree had loads of blossom this year - I have also had regular bee visits (most days in fact - up to yesterday) I've got peaches growing, figs growing, and crab apples But as to actual apples - zip zilch nada as they say ....I forget also not one single blackcurrant this year...