From Staff Reports

EDNEYVILLE — Apple-growers in Henderson County are looking at major hail damage to tens of thousands of apples following a hailstorm that hit the area on May 8, Asheville television station WLOS (News 13) reported on May 9.

Long-time apple grower Kenny Barnwell, owner of Barnwell Farms in Edneyville, told News 13 he estimates potentially tens of millions in losses industry-wide. He said he hasnot seen this type of damage “in like forever.”

“The apples now have marks and dents — dinged on one side of the tree — that means they’ll look ugly and customers won’t buy them,” he said. “They’re edible, but the value (of the apples) is now half.”

News 13 added, “Barnwell walked through his acreage, showing the difference between the apples damaged by the hail and those that weren’t. The wind blew the hail onto one side of the trees, leaving the other side of the trees untouched and undamaged, he said.

“‘This was one of the most widespread hail events we’ve seen in a long time. I got calls from Moravian Falls, which is in North Wilkesboro. They’re going to walk away from orchards... there’s so much damage. In Polk County, a good friend says they (the applies) just got beat to pieces,’ Barnwell said.

“Barnwell said the damage on an apple tree is based on wind direction, meaning the hail can hit one side, but apples on the other side of the tree aren’t damaged. The dented ones, he said, will sell for apple sauce or juice,” News 13 noted