Mr Kent adds his own symbolism in the mock apple trees that grace the stage throughout the play.

ECONOMIST: English theatre

Like cherries, record warmth in March across the Upper Midwest prompted apple trees in many areas to bloom, leaving them vulnerable to the freezing weather that followed.

WSJ: Spring Is No Bowl of Cherries for Michigan Growers

The American apple industry plunged into utter disarray in 1989 after a 60 Minutes segment alleged cancer risks from Alar, a chemical used to synchronize the ripening of fruit on apple trees.

FORBES: Fear-Mongering, Junk Science And NRDC

Though even if Santa chooses to leave less Apple products than expected under Christmas trees nationwide, the company can at least remain joyous for their extremely positive brand perception.

FORBES: Amidst Stable of Prizewinners, Apple's Own Brand Still Perceived as Best

It is up to Apple to shake the forests so we can start finding spaces amongst the trees to grow our saplings.

FORBES: Eric Schmidt Says That Apple Should Have Kept Google Maps

He saw things he recognized but his brain, befuddled with chemicals released by fear, couldn't locate the words to describe them: the twin stacks spewing plumes of dirty white smoke, the abandoned custom's station with a faded red star painted above the door, the line of white-washed bee hives on a slope near a copse of stunted apple trees.

NPR: Excerpt: 'Legends'

By July, 30 apple, pear, cherry and plum trees were planted with help from professional arborists at the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation.

FORBES: Building Self-Sufficiency, One Tree at a Time