Sweet cherry trees could blossom next week
LEELANAU CO. -- The last day of winter is feeling a lot more like summer, and these hot temperatures have farmers across Northern Michigan scrambling to get ready for an early crop.
Monday sweet cherry trees were already showing green buds. Doctor Nikki Rockwell, coordinator of the Northwest Michigan Horticulture Research Center says some sweet cherry trees could blossom by next week.
Dr. Rockwell says, "Things could work out perfectly, and we could see a really early season of fruit this year."
While speeding up spring may sound good, there is still one huge concern.
Dr. Rockwell says, "We can have a frost sometimes at beginning of June, and so thats a long time until June. We hope we won't get cold nighttime temps but you never know."
Another key component to the new season is pollination. Dr. Rockwell says cherry farmers have been in contact with bee-keepers in Florida asking to bring the bees to Michigan sooner so they can do their part in the growing cycle.
