Predicting sweet cherry hardiness is vital for frost management, as their early spring development makes them vulnerable. Current methods using phenology charts are often inaccurate, especially in early bud stages where internal changes occur without visible external signs.
Image 1. Cross-section of a cherry blossom bud
A new cold hardiness model on AgWeatherNet aims to improve accuracy by incorporating local weather and data from multiple cultivars and regions. Sweet cherry floral development is a year-long process, pausing in dormancy and resuming in late winter.
Image 2. Dormant phases with acclimatisation in autumn and de-acclimatisation in spring. The lethal temperature at which 50% of the buds will die (LT50) decreases as the buds become more resistant to cold (yellow). Vernalisation is the point at which all cold units have been accumulated. Graph adapted from Greg Lang, MSU.
Current LT estimations rely on charts that can be unreliable, prompting the development of the new model.
The model provides average lethal temperatures (LT) band damage ranges, but field assessment is crucial to account for orchard variations. Growers are encouraged to provide feedback on the beta model, which will be further validated.
Image 3. The lethal temperatures of cherry buds are currently estimated using graphs predicting LT with bud phenology
Cold acclimation involves supercooling, where ice forms around the floral primordia, protecting the liquid inside. Dormancy phases influence cold hardiness, with deacclimation in spring being critical.
Image 4. Screenshot from the AWN website
Read ful article: WSU Tree Fruit
26 Aug 2024
The sweet cherry industry in the United States is primarily concentrated in Washington, California, and Oregon (Figure 1), which together represent over 90% of the national total production in 2023 (Figure 2). Washington leads in production with 443,640 tons,
10 Feb 2025
Omeg found that management involves fewer passes, no tying and no limb selection during the growing season. He also noted that it is more tolerant to heat and rain after comparing blocks placed side by side in different climates.
26 Jan 2026
The 2025/26 cherry season in China is marked by high volumes, strong logistical pressure and a rapid fall in prices. Chinese buyers are becoming more selective, penalising early fruit and challenging traditional Chilean export models and established commercial strategies.
26 Jan 2026
Over 60 growers and technicians joined Salvi’s High-Density Cherry Orchard Open Day in Monteux, France. The Sweet Series by the University of Bologna was featured, with a focus on pruning, yield, fruit quality, and strategies for modern, profitable, sustainable and innovative orc
