Grab your camera, New York state’s apple trees are in bloom

Fishers, N.Y. – If you need a sign that winter is truly over and spring has finally arrived, here it is: New York state’s apple trees are now in bloom.

New York Apple Association (NYAA) reports that, thanks to the recent warming weather, trees are now in full bloom in the Hudson Valley, the state’s southernmost growing region. By early next week, central and western New York will be in bloom, with Lake Champlain to follow in about a week.   

In all, about 11.3 million trees across the state will participate in this year’s blossom spectacle, showing off their colorful springtime splendor.  Blooms progress from dormant brown tips to green tips, to bright pink clusters as the buds start to open, to full white flowers. The show will likely be over by Memorial Day.

 “For one of the most beautiful spring sights you’ll ever see, take a ride around the countryside this weekend or next,” said NYAA President Jim Allen. “With over 55,000 acres of apple trees across the state, we’ve got millions of branches near you.”

The state’s apple growers are particularly glad to finally see the arrival of spring. The late spring has put the 2014 apple crop about two weeks behind schedule. On the upside, a late spring also means less chance of damaging frost like the state saw in 2012, says Allen.

Allen says that growers are expecting a “business as usual”-sized crop this fall following last year’s very large crop. The 2013 crop totaled out about 32 million bushels; the state’s average is 29.5 million bushels. The 2013 crop has moved to market quickly, and remaining supplies are expected to be sold out in plenty of time before the new crop arrives.

Visit www.nyapplecountry.com for more information about New York state apples.