The verb that is used is the same as that in the woman’s repeated warning to the daughters of Jerusalem not to arouse or awaken
love (Song of Solomon 2:7; Song of Solomon 3:5; Song of Solomon 8:4), which makes it clear that in this context she is not merely talking about awakening the man from sleep, but rather about arousing him sexually.1
The young woman begins her response to the question in Song of Solomon 8:5 by reminding the young man of her effect on him. She has aroused him under the apple tree. The apple tree has already been used in the Song as a place of lovemaking (Song of Solomon 2:3, Song of Solomon 2:5; Song of Solomon 7:8). The fertility of this specific tree makes it particularly evocative of love, and the fragrance of its apples and buds also makes it an especially happy place for intimacy.2
The reference to the apple tree as the place of lovemaking is not to be taken literally. It is simply a poetic way of referring to the joys of sexual intimacy and her effect on him.
5 Who is that coming up from the wilderness, leaning on her beloved? Under the apple tree I awakened you. There your mother was in labor with you; there she who bore you was in labor.