Apple Anomaly

This past fall in Vermont we had an early snow storm with low temperatures. This weather happened while leaves were still on the trees and apples still hung from fruiting spurs. It seemed to shut down or slow down many tree physiologial processes. One highly visible side effect is the persistent presence of fruit on apple trees this winter. I think the early storm stopped the formation of the abscission layer that normally promotes fruit drop at the end of the season. These apples were red and are now rotting in place.