Fruit growers in West Michigan are getting a first look at their crops after one harsh winter. Growers tell us they are well behind schedule thanks to the cold spring we've been having, which means many don't even know the extent of the damage yet.

According to MSU Extension fruit educators this is the most behind crops have been in the last 15 years.

The report found maple sap flow which usually begins in mid to late February did not begin until the warmer temperatures began in mid-March.

Tree Fruit growth is just beginning. At this stage of development it would require extremely cold temperatures to damage the tree fruit buds.

Some growers and especially homeowners have reported damage from rabbits, and some have reported mouse or vole injury. Many growers have also reported deer damage on apple fruit buds.

All this injury is scattered with many growers reporting no or little problems.

In a release educators say given the extremely cold temperatures during the winter we can expect winter injury to young trees and for the more cold tender fruits.

Apricots show no movement at all. They are considered extremely cold hardy in the winter and little damage is expected except for less adapted varieties.

Peaches are one of the most cold tender tree fruits and flower bud loss can be expected when temperatures fall below -10.

Most injury occurs between -12 and -16. Some sites report significant losses and other report they still have a good crop potential.

Sweet cherries also show some damage to the fruit buds, tart cherries generally show some a little damage in the colder sites.

Plums; damage is expected in Japanese plums, which are more cold tender. European plum should show little injury.

Apples, pears, grapes and blueberries show little movement as of right now.

As for Strawberries, researchers say they are greening up but there is no hint of new leaves.

Source - http://wwmt.com/