Scenario Overview

You are standing in an apple orchard in the Waikato region of New Zealand.

Most of the 5 - 6 year old trees here appear stunted, with sparse terminal growth. Leaves are yellowed and some dieback is present.   Several trees are completely dead! It is close to harvest, but the few small fruit these sick trees have produced litter the weedy ground.

From your conversations with the grower, it seems the plants have never done well, but this year has been particularly bad.  As you walk through the affected block, you notice the worst specimens are in the low-lying areas. You stop in front of one particularly unhealthy tree for a closer examination.

The grower remains beside you, his appearance stoic, despite his seemingly impending bankruptcy.