While fruit trees in Summerland were in full blossom by the end of March last year, the branches are still bare this year.
Instead of the blossoms, buds are showing on trees in the community.
But Steve Brown, an orchardist and a member of the B.C. Tree Fruits board of directors, said the spring conditions are not necessarily late this year.
“This is more of an average spring,” he said.
Compared with the last 10 years, the blossoms are behind schedule, but compared with the long-term average, the bud stages are in line with average years.
Brown added that last year, despite the early blossoms, the summer was cooler and wetter than normal.
For growers with peaches, apricots and most apple varieties, a shift in the blossom dates will not be a significant problem, he said.
A variety of factors, including the length of the growing season, heat units and degree days all affect harvests and yields, he said.
For those growing red grape varieties and late-season apples, a longer season is essential.
Brown grows pink lady apples in his orchard and needs a long growing season for his crop.
“They’re probably the last apple to be harvested,” he said, adding that he was picking these apples at the beginning of November last year.
When blossoms appear early, Brown said orchardists are concerned because of the risks of damage if the temperature suddenly cools.
