Garden Q&A: When stress makes apple trees drop fruit too soon

Whether you're a gardening beginner or expert, Irish Examiner columnist Peter Dowdall has the answer to your questions    

It is worth thinning overcrowded fruit, as a tree carrying too much fruit is more likely to shed some under stress. File picture

Question

My apple tree is dropping lots of fruit. These apples are tiny; they look fine but are too small and not even nearly ripe. What is causing it?