Connecticut orchard outraged after hot air balloon swiped an apple from the sky

The owners of a Connecticut orchard were left outraged when a hot air balloon allegedly descended from the sky and swiped at least one apple.

Woodstock Orchards LLC, a family-run farm located in Connecticut’s so-called “Quiet Corner,” said that the incident on Saturday was the second time that the balloon took an apple from their grounds.

An image accompanying the farm’s statement on social media shows a huge balloon hovering amid the trees. Several people can be seen in the vessel’s basket, which sits below a balloon sporting bright yellow, green, purple, blue and pink stripes.

The image also shows that the balloon is clearly stamped with its company name: CT Voyager Balloons.

“For the second time, this hot air balloon has come down into our orchard, with someone reaching out and taking apples from our trees,” a farm spokesperson claimed on Facebook. “In the process, our apple trees have been struck and damaged.”

Woodstock Orchards says that a hot air ballon descended and took swiped an apple from the farm’s trees (Google)

The spokesperson went on to say that the trees are more than just scenery; they are also the farm’s livelihood.

“They are something we work on and care for all year long,” the spokesperson said. “Through unpredictable weather, drought, pests, rising costs, and countless hours of labor, we do everything we can to grow a quality crop for our customers.”

However, speaking to Boston.com, a representative for CT Voyager Balloons offered a different version of the events on Saturday and detailed more about the firm’s history with the orchard.

The representative said that the balloon passed over the farm several years ago, encountering a “nice young lady” who tossed apples to passengers. The balloon left with no complaint from the farm and without damaging the trees.

Woodstock Orchards LLC did reference the first visit on social media, although it did not share a similar sentiment to the balloon company.

“To have this happen once is upsetting,” the spokesperson wrote. “To have it happen twice makes it even more disappointing.”

The hot air balloon (stock picture) company says that it remained above the treeline and did not damage the trees (Getty)

During the second incident, the balloon encountered strong winds after taking off at around 4 p.m. When it reached the farm, it remained above the treeline and did not damage the trees, the company representative told Boston.com.

When a 12-year-old reached toward an apple, the pilot lowered the balloon by about three feet to pick the apple for the youngster.

However, the passengers were soon met with a “very angry man” who warned them never to take an apple again and ordered them to leave, despite the pilot returning the apple and offering to pay for it, the representative stated.

The farm said in its statement that its owners were not asked for permission for the balloon company to take apples from the site.

“We do not want anything in return except for this to never happen again,” they wrote.

The balloon company representative apologized to the orchard in the statement given to Boston.com, acknowledging that they should have sought permission from the family-run farm.

“We acknowledge that seeking permission to pick even one apple is justified, although (sic) was not required on our last flyover several years ago,” the representative wrote. “For this, we do apologize for not seeking permission to pick one apple, and our pilot is now well aware of this (new) policy going forward.”

The Independent has contacted Woodstock Orchards LLC and CT Voyager Balloons for comment.