6

Possible Duplicate:
When do I need to protect a fruit tree from cold, and how do I do it?

We have several cherry trees and an apple tree in our back yard. Due to the very warm March we had (in Minnesota), they are all covered in flowers. In a few days, there is a chance of snow, and an overnight low of 26.

What do I need to do to protect them?

I saw When do I need to protect a fruit tree from cold, and how do I do it?, but I don't know if the difference between just starting to bud, and having flowers on them for a week or two is important.

Community
  • 1
David Oneill
  • 1,511
  • 1
  • 12
  • 19
  • Look very carefully at documents in the accepted answer on the linked question. If you read those documents (esp the one from [NCSU](http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/hil-713.html)) you will see that, for example, apples at full bloom will have 90% kill at 25°F. As kevinsky mentions, the protection techniques will be the same as in the linked question. – bstpierre Apr 14 '12 at 23:26

1 Answers1

4

My initial thought was to cover them with tarps if they aren't too big. I like the suggestion in the question you linked to about placing heaters under the tree as well.

A quick search found this site about protecting orange trees. It suggests keeping the ground near the tree wet and wrapping the trunk with cardboard or cloth.

This site has a fantastic suggestion - put Christmas lights on the trees and leave them on all night.

Those are some things to try. I think anything you can do to raise the temperature around the tree a little bit is good whether there are flowers on it or not.

jdickson
  • 895
  • 1
  • 5
  • 14