WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue Extension specialists were carefully watching a late-winter cold front that was forecast to bring below-freezing temperatures to much of Indiana but said it was too early to determine how much risk the potentially frigid weather would pose to the state’s fruit crops and ornamental plants.
“The extent of the damage will of course vary with the plant species, stage of development and actual low temperatures, as well as the length of time the low temperatures last,” said B. Rosie Lerner, consumer horticulture specialist.
Ken Scheeringa, associate state climatologist based at Purdue, expected the cold snap to last about a week (March 10-16), with overnight low temperatures dropping to the high-teens and low-20s Fahrenheit throughout Indiana, about 10 degrees colder than normal statewide.
After an extended period of unusually warm weather throughout the state in January and February, the onset of colder temperatures in the typically milder month of March had some growers concerned about fruit trees and ornamental plants that had begun to emerge from winter dormancy. Trees that have budded out and plants that have sprouted new leaves are more susceptible to cold injury.
The risk is especially high in southern counties, where trees and plants are more fully developed.
“Most of our trees are in bloom or very near bloom,” said Amanda Mosiman, Purdue Extension-Warrick County educator. “I have peach and plum in bloom. Forsythia and ornamental pears are in full show. Redbuds are coming on.”
Fruit specialist Bruce Bordelon said it’s “still a wait-and-see situation” for fruit crops throughout the state.
“It’s important to note that even if buds are damaged and if fruit crop potential is decreased, generally this will not be fatal to plants,” Lerner said. “The colder weather could mean less of a show for spring-blooming ornamentals and could nip back new leafy growth, but generally the plants should be able to outgrow the damage.”
Lindsey Purcell, urban forestry specialist, said homeowners and producers should carefully inspect their trees and plants to determine if there has been any damage.
“Damage may not be visible on the outside of the plants, but dead or dying tissue will be evident in the vascular tissue beneath the outer layer,” he said. “The good news is that this phenomenon is typically not lethal for most established woody plants.”
Kyle Daniel, nursery and landscape outreach specialist, advised growers to be watchful and patient.
“Be certain the new growth is dead by scratching the thin-layered bark to assess cambial tissue,” he said. “Pruning out dead branches of trees and shrubs may be required this spring after damage has been assessed, but delay pruning as much as possible so you do not encourage further budding.”
To learn more about the impact of colder weather on trees and plants, go to https://ag.purdue.edu/hla/Extension/nle/Articles/Warm%20Weather%20May%20Cause%20Problems%20for%20Ornamentals.pdf. Additional information is available at http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/freeze_damage_depends_on_tree_fruit_stage_of_development.
— Purdue Extension
RECOMMENDED ARTICLES
COLLEGE STATION, Texas — As cooler weather begins around the state, Texans need to start preparing their gardens and yards for the drop in temperatures. A good rule of “green” thumb is the farther north you live in the state, the sooner you need to start preparing. “Texans should start thinking about preparing their garden […]
INDIANAPOLIS — At the Indiana State Fair, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch presented Dr. Karen Plaut, Dean of Agriculture at Purdue University, and Gary Truitt, Chairman of Hoosier Ag Today and the Indiana Farm Equipment & Technology Expo, with the state’s highest agricultural honor, the AgriVision Award. Now in its 16th year, the award is presented […]
CLEMSON, S.C. — Clemson researchers report South Carolina peaches and other fruit crops appear to have survived the recent cold snap, but only time will tell. Temperatures fell as low as 19 degrees in orchards early Sunday morning, March 13. Clemson Cooperative Extension Service commercial fruit and vegetable agent Andy Rollins said the peach crop […]
COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Texas fruit crops are behind on chill hours necessary to trigger optimal blooms and good fruit sets, according to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service experts. If Punxsutawney Phil was right, there are still enough winter days ahead, but experts said Texas’ fruit crops need cold, clouds and rain. Fruit trees, such as […]
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missourians experienced a wide variety of weather in 2021, from extreme cold in February and record December warmth to summer floods, fall drought and winter tornadoes, says University of Missouri Extension state climatologist Pat Guinan. Despite these extremes, the Show-Me State overall had a favorable growing season in 2021. January: Overcast and […]
