Flowering apple tree in august.

[Pumkinpie]

I noticed my ' red love ' apple tree is in flower today .
I live in the middle of England and it's supposed to flower in the spring not at the end of August.
I think I have a confused apple tree.
It's flowers got caught by a late frost so I have only had 4 apples off it this year.
I was wondering what the best thing to do was as it's so late in the year.
I was thinking of removing the flowers and hope that it might sort its flower timing out for next year .
What do people think the best thing to do is ?.

[MKG]

Strange! I would have expected it to flower again, but not leaving it as late as this. AFAIK, it's day length which kicks trees into whatever they do, and its the winter period of dormancy which resets the cycle. Apart from that, I know nothing. But someone will be along soon ...

Mike

[Green Aura]

I found this from a University in New Mexico

Fall blossoming in fruit trees (and other spring flowering trees and shrubs) can occur if the tree is stressed during the summer (heat, drought, etc.). While stressed, the tree may become dormant, and then when the weather moderates, if conditions are just right, the tree comes out of dormancy and flowers as if it were springtime. The trees do not usually expend all their blossom buds at this time, so there should be more flowers next spring, and hopefully fruit

[ojay54]

it's been so dry June/July,coupled with your late frost,it's got a bit confused.Other than a course of CBT (as practiced in Royal circles) just treat as normal,prune/greaseband etc. It does highlight the need for water/mulching etc.I'd take a dated photo too.
Wish one of mine would do it!

[Pumkinpie]

It could be stress as it was very dry in June and July . The tree is only 3 years old so I was giving it along with some newly planted trees a real good soaking once and some times more a week. I stopped watering about 3 or 4 weeks ago when I went on holiday. It could be the change in watering that triggered it.
Thanks for the help I will remove the flowers and give it and my other trees a good mulch soon.

[ina]

Some of my "spring" bulbs have started growing, too - I think there's more stuff confused!

[Odsox]

It's normal.
Apple trees and some others will always produce a flower or two at this time of year. Regardless of what GA has found (American weather is a tad different to UK weather), it will happen every year to some trees whatever of the weather.
If one of the stimuli that spurs a plant to flower is day length, then August/September is no different to late spring.
It happens to primroses too (same plant family)