Farmer resorts to applying special ‘sun cream’ on his APPLES to stop them boiling amid Britain’s record-breaking heatwave
A British apple farmer has begun applying a specialist "sun cream" to his fruit trees in an effort to stop the apples from scorching during the UK's record-breaking heatwave. The unusual measure, typically a protective spray applied directly to the fruit, is designed to shield apples from sunburn and heat damage as temperatures climb well above seasonal norms, illustrating how growers are adapting to increasingly extreme summer conditions.
The move comes as Britain endures a spell of exceptional heat, with daytime temperatures reaching into the high twenties Celsius, prompting farmers across the country to take extra precautions to protect crops from damage or loss. Such protective treatments are usually applied to prevent fruit from developing sunscald, where intense direct sunlight effectively "cooks" or blemishes produce while still on the tree, threatening yields and marketable quality.
In short
- Farmer applies protective "sun cream" to apples during UK heatwave.
- Aim is to prevent fruit scorching in record heat.
- Highlights growing impact of extreme weather on British farming.
Explained simply
Apples need the right conditions as they grow, and prolonged strong sunlight and heat can damage fruit still on the tree. Sunscald can leave apples blemished or unusable, reducing the amount a grower can sell.
Some growers use a specialist coating, sometimes described as “sun cream”, to help shield fruit from direct sunlight. It is one of several ways farmers try to protect crops when the weather is unusually hot.
Heat damage can affect both the quality and quantity of a harvest, with consequences for growers and the supply of fruit. The issue matters as Britain faces more episodes of extreme summer heat.