…to chuck apple cores into the bushes?

[onflic]

DH is of the view that they will break down or be snaffled by wildlife pretty quick so they’re not litter. I think they might attract rats or unwanted wildlife so should be pocketed. Who is BU?

Last autumn I really noticed how many apple trees there are in verges near me. I think there wasn't as much wind, so the apples trees were much more noticeable or I had just not noticed them before, but once I started noticing I saw them everywhere! Funny to think that in many cases someone just carelessly tossed an apple out of a car window years before!

Throwing litter into a lay-by is littering, and could cause wildlife to be run over trying to retrieve it. Apple falling off a tree is not the same as idiot throwing Apple core into a lay-by.

Fine if it's out of sight.

I eat my apple cores. I'd throw the pips and the stalk in the bushes no prob.

All sorts of wildlife benefit from Apple cores or any fruit or veg waste tbf
Hedgehog birds butterflies rabbits badgers bees - you’ve a long list before getting to mice or rats!!!
banana skins are extremely beneficial to butterflies

I think they might attract rats or unwanted wildlife

If you're talking about woods or countryside, rats are simply wildlife. They're not unwanted - no wildlife would really be 'unwanted' in that situation. That's their normal habitat and where they're meant to be.

It's totally normal and fine to chuck an apple core into the bushes. They can be eaten by pretty much any wildlife from tiny insects right up to, eg, badgers and they will rot down harmlessly and quickly if not.

My hubby believes the same. I disagree. Imagine if everyone had an apple a day and did that

I think throwing an apple core into a bush while out walking in the woods is absolutely fine. This is the type of situation OP is talking about (as she clarified in her second post), not dropping them on roads or pavements in town.