This might not be due to climate change. The beginning of an El Nino cycle is probably the active factor. Here in Northern Michigan, last winter was incredibly harsh and this one didn’t even feel like winter. In fact, last summer here was abysmal until El Nino kicked up and then we had a glorious six weeks in August and September.
But that doesn’t change how scary it is to watch fruit trees budding so early. I go to bed each night with profound fears that there won’t be much of a local fruit crop this year…but this is a place where it’s been known to snow on the 4th of July, so this year’s fear is just stronger than other years.
This might not be due to climate change. The beginning of an El Nino cycle is probably the active factor. Here in Northern Michigan, last winter was incredibly harsh and this one didn’t even feel like winter. In fact, last summer here was abysmal until El Nino kicked up and then we had a glorious six weeks in August and September.
But that doesn’t change how scary it is to watch fruit trees budding so early. I go to bed each night with profound fears that there won’t be much of a local fruit crop this year…but this is a place where it’s been known to snow on the 4th of July, so this year’s fear is just stronger than other years.