Early Budding Could Cause Damage To Trees And Impact Fruit Harvest

Trees are blooming earlier than usual as a response to several days of spring-like weather last week.

Jackson County Ag Extension Agent Dill Hughes said there is some concern for the trees’ health especially with another frost likely to happen.

Hughes-1                    (:18)             Q. Leaves Turned Black

Hughes said a tree stores energy all winter in order to bloom in the spring. Hughes said when this situation happen, the plants used two energy reserves since second green-up happened later in the summer.

Hughes said a couple years later, several trees died as a result of the extra energy. Hughes said a early spring and late frost can also kill flowers on fruit trees which reduces its harvest.

Hughes said mid-April is usually the last week that frost could be possible.