Sadly,I only know the answer to # 1.U,Me,and ur friends (or the animals trying to keep their family safe) and we/they are protecting the forest,we can't breath with out trees after all!
Maybe it’s because in order the get the same apple you breed more of that apple? It would take less time than natural selection since the genes of that certain apple may not appear for a few generations. If this makes any sense let me know because I’m just as confused as you are.