Fruit trees survive harsh winter better than feared

Fruit trees in Ostrobothnia and Central Finland survived an unusually wet and cold winter better than expected, Yle reports. Gardens and nurseries say the feared widespread damage did not occur.

Heavy rain late in the year and severe frosts in January raised concerns, particularly in Ostrobothnia. Roots that freeze in wet soil can leave fruit trees with a short growing season.

“The worst fears did not come true, and the growing season has been very good,” said Juha Ahvenjärvi, a gardening entrepreneur from Ylivieska.

Nurseries also reported that trees sold to customers survived well. However, some plants in private gardens suffered. Customers have asked Lakeuden Vihertaimisto in Seinäjoki about the condition of their plants.

“Fruit trees seem to be struggling after the difficult winter. They have fewer leaves, and the apples are smaller than usual, if there are any,” said entrepreneur Paavo Muhonen, describing customers’ experiences.

Muhonen said perennial plants and plants that grow in dry soil had been affected by the autumn and winter weather.

The winter had offered poor conditions for fruit trees because there was little snow. Gardeners feared a repeat of a situation about a decade ago, when rain during the winter followed by severe frosts caused losses in private gardens and nurseries.

At the University of Oulu’s botanical garden, the winter initially looked bad for apple trees, but the trees ultimately escaped major damage. An early and prolonged spring may have helped them recover and enter the summer.

Leif Blomqvist, an apple-tree specialist who runs a nursery in Pedersöre, said the spring could have been much worse for the trees.

“The spring was long and its temperatures were fairly steady. There were no heatwaves or night frosts, at least here. I believe that saved many trees,” he said.

Tuomas Kauppila, head gardener at the University of Oulu’s botanical garden, said the favourable spring could allow for a longer growing season.

“It looks very good. Much worse was feared,” Kauppila said.

He also estimated that last year’s sunny summer had helped the trees survive the winter. A long and warm summer, he said, improves trees’ chances of coping with winter.

Nurseries said some plants that had overwintered outdoors may have been lost, but not in unusually large numbers. The effects of the winter have also become visible in nursery yards.

“Our ornamental and pear trees have suffered damage. They began growing well in spring, but now we have noticed that a tree is simply drying out and is beyond saving,” said Tiia Ritamäki-Seppä, an entrepreneur at Taimitaikurit in Kokkola.