Peach trees in spring bloom in Deerfield, Mass., in 2017. Mild winters and erratic frosts are posing new dangers to fruit tree crops across the United States. Growing fruit trees in Appalachia has always been a high-wire act as peaches, plums, apples and pears race to flower in early spring while dodging a killing frost. [Gone in a generation: Across America, climate change is already disrupting lives]Mark Demuth, a USDA researcher, examines peach tree buds at the Appalachian Fruit Research Station, Kearneysville, W. Va., in mid-February. Lack of winter chilling and spring blossom freezes are obvious problems, but climate change is bringing a range of other difficulties for fruit growers.

Source: Washington Post March 28, 2019 10:52 UTC