Early apple bloom could beat 1934 record

WENATCHEE – Warm winter and spring temperatures are causing local fruit trees to bloom earlier than they have in years. Apple trees in Wenatchee are on schedule to possibly break the record set for early bloom in 1934.

An unusually early bloom period may make it difficult to find a tree with blossoms on it during the Washington State Apple Blossom Festival. The festival runs April 23 through May 3.

Full bloom for this year’s apple blossoms will likely tie or beat the all-time record for earliest full bloom set April 11, 1934, said Tim Smith, semiretired Washington State University tree fruit extension agent.

Smith maintains a computer model based on visual information and accumulated degrees above a 43-degree base temperature since Jan. 1. That information and weather forecasts have the full bloom date for Red Delicious apples in Wenatchee occurring April 10 this year.

The earliest full bloom date in recent history was April 13, 2004. The longtime average full bloom date is April 27.

Full bloom has occurred about a week earlier than that the past few years. This year, it may be more than two weeks early, Smith said.

Early blooms can be nerve-racking for orchardists because it presents greater chances of frost to fruit trees that are most sensitive to damage at full bloom.