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Cold front doesn�t faze orchardists Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Smudge pots stand ready to keep this Bear Creek orchard warm near Rapp Road in Talent. As the skies clear in the next few days, orchardists are concerned that nighttime frost could damage trees that are in vulnerable stages of bloom. Rogue Valley growers have wind machines, heaters ready By SHARI DOWNHILL Commercial and amateur orchardists alike will be keeping close watch on fruit trees as cold air threatens this summer�s crop of peaches, pears and apples. Earlier warm spring weather has coaxed thousands of acres of Rogue Valley fruit trees into various stages of bloom, the most vulnerable time for potential frost damage, according to veteran fruit growers. As cold air entered the Rogue Valley this week, clouds have been a blessing, keeping nighttime temperatures above freezing. With weather reports calling for clearing, wind machines and orchard heaters likely will be called into action. "Our (heating) systems have been at the ready for over a month now," says Ron Henri, Bear Creek senior vice president of agriculture. "We�ve had very little frost protection requirements except in some locations where we have peaches, and then only in the coldest areas." Bear Creek has 26 orchards in 19 locations covering 3,300 acres ranging from Ashland north to the Rogue River. Peaches are now either in full-boom or post-bloom condition, which makes them vulnerable when the mercury dips to 28 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit, Henri said. Pears are just entering the bloom period and are vulnerable to the same low temperature range. In the early stages of blossom development, the buds are closed and protected by plant tissues, Henri said. As the season progresses and the flower clusters open, they become increasingly susceptible to lower temperatures. "The same tree that�s safe at 26 degrees early in the season, will be more susceptible to fruit loss as it gets to the end of bloom or the small fruit stage. It�s a progressive thing." "We are expecting a couple of nights of (frost) activity. That�s for sure," he said. Wind machines and orchard heaters are in place with workers at the ready for the night shift. In seasons past, Bear Creek also has used overhead sprinklers to ward off frost damage, but low water supplies prevent that method from being used this year. Though low temperature warnings sound an alarm for the agricultural industry, growers are facing the challenge with preparation, not desperation. If temperatures should drop toward the frost zone, alarm systems trip automatic telephone calls to orchard managers. Depending on the number and location of orchards threatened, more than 200 workers could be needed to protect Bear Creek�s potential harvest. "This is about the time it comes," Henri said. "We are fortunate to have some cloud cover and the conditions we�ve seen the past few days because we haven�t seen a hard frost. "I would say this is about on time in terms of bloom," he added "We might be a few days early, but gauging normal is difficult to do through the years. "We�re ready though. We have no concerns that we (won�t) be able to save the crop, which ... this year looks to be a very good." Naumes Inc., the largest independent fruit grower in the Rogue Valley, has already activated wind machines and orchard heaters three times this season. "If there�s a chance, we don�t risk it," said Tony Freytag, Naumes spokesman. "You get into this mode this time of year. Our crews are certainly at the ready. We�re in high alert mode and have been for some weeks now." From late March through mid-May each year orchardists stand at the ready for the night shift. "Just last year, California�s valleys were hit on Mother�s Day with a hard frost," Freytag said. "That was devastating. With the warm weather bringing on the bloom, once you start down that path, you have to be ready." Naumes orchards cover about 2,200 acres from Grants Pass to Talent, cultivated with pears and apples. "We�re all over the valley and deal with a lot of micro-climates," he said. "Every tree is vulnerable right now." Reach reporter Shari Downhill at 776-4463, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.