Images from Lithuanian apple orchards resemble catastrophe: trees 'disappearing daily'

Apple orchards across Lithuania are facing a devastating situation, with trees dying at an alarming rate, prompting descriptions of a "catastrophe" from industry leaders. Vitalija Kuliešienė, president of the Lithuanian Commercial Fruit and Berry Association, stated that losses are currently estimated between 30-50%, with some native Lithuanian varieties suffering up to 80% damage.

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We think it happened in winter, when it was 30 degrees Celsius below zero and the ground was still unfrozen, vegetation was happening in the roots, the top was in such a frost. So, it's as if scientists and we ourselves think this happened in winter, because there were no frosts in spring.

The prevailing theory points to the harsh winter conditions, particularly a period of -30 degrees Celsius cold when the ground remained unfrozen. This combination, experts believe, damaged the trees' root systems while the upper parts were exposed to extreme frost. "It's as if scientists and we ourselves think this happened in winter, because there were no frosts in spring," Kuliešienė explained. "Some apple trees even budded, bloomed, and then simply died, while others didn't bud at all."

Even traditionally resilient Lithuanian varieties like 'Auksis', 'Noris', and 'Skaistis', known for their hardiness, have succumbed to the anomaly. "These Lithuanian varieties – 'Auksis', 'Noris', 'Skaistis' – which are tested and truly resistant to frost and everything else, but some natural anomaly happened this year, and this is happening throughout Lithuania," Kuliešienė added. These specific varieties were considered so reliable they were likened to an "insurance company" for their consistent yields.

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Those Lithuanian varieties – 'Auksis', 'Noris', 'Skaistis' – which are tested and truly resistant to frost and everything else, but some natural anomaly happened this year, and this is happening throughout Lithuania.

Džiugas Palionis, director of the company "Naradava" in Pasvalys district, which manages 273 hectares of apple orchards with over 53 varieties, reported significant damage, especially to Lithuanian breeds like 'Auksis', 'Skaistis', and 'Štaris'. He noted that the decline is increasing daily, with trees that were heavily flowered just a week prior now completely bare. "The dying off is increasing with each day: for example, trees that bloomed profusely and still had green leaves a week ago are now without leaves," Palionis said, sharing drone images of the affected orchards.

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The dying off is increasing with each day: for example, trees that bloomed profusely and still had green leaves a week ago are now without leaves.