About half the fruit trees in Kentucky are in bloom. Plums, peaches, apricots, some cherries and others are in full flower or nearly finished. Most pears and apples have not yet broken bud. Will these trees produce fruit this year, or will they succumb to a late-spring frost? Based on the calendar alone, it is very likely that frost will kill the young fruits on these trees: the average date of last frost in Kentucky is late April. However, this year might be different. This year’s record warm spell coming on the heels of a mild winter may be a harbinger of continued warm weather. The weather pattern we are in is typical of May, not of March. As the region warms up, summer-like high pressure systems may keep Jack Frost out of the state. Only time will tell, but fruit producers need to be ready to cover their trees if the forecast calls for temperatures to fall below 30.
Will fruit trees freeze in Spring 2012?
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