Tree Fruit Newsletter — April 21, 2026
Early Outlook on Frost and Bud Survival
Minimum temperatures this morning were close to the point where freeze damage can occur especially in low spots and frost pockets. I did an initial assessment of injury by inspecting flower buds from a few locations at Highmoor Farm and found some damage but only in the lower orchard.
Balaton cherries were at the green tip stage and experienced 20 ºF. They had about 50% loss of flowers. Peaches in the same location showed no injury and were at the bud swell stage. I checked one variety today, and will check additional ones later this week.
Honeycrisp trees located in a frost pocket showed about 50% damage to the king blooms and a few damaged side blooms. This is not likely enough injury to reduce yield.
The orchard at higher elevation where temperatures dropped to 23 ºF showed no injury in apples, peaches and apricots.
Later this week, I will check other orchard locations and varieties. At this time, I have heard from only one grower who saw some damage to apple flowers exposed to 18º F.
Hardiness of apples and other tree fruits at each bud stage can be found at the Utah State University website titled Apple Growth Stages and Critical Temperatures — Intermountain Fruit – USU.
Renae Moran
University of Maine Cooperative Extension: Tree Fruits
PO Box 179
Monmouth, ME 04259
(207) 933-2100
University of Maine Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity institution and provider committed to nondiscrimination. For more information, visit extension.umaine.edu/nondiscrimination.