Winter’s cold temperatures, snow and ice can harm vulnerable fruit trees. According to horticulturists with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach this winter’s cold temperatures, which dropped to negative 20 degrees, may have damaged peach and sweet cherry trees. When temperatures fall to 18 degrees below zero, flower buds on peach trees are destroyed while flower buds on sweet cherry trees can survive temperatures of negative 20 degrees. The horitculturists advise that Iowa gardeners should anticipate poor sweet cherry and peach crops this summer.

Apple, pear and sour cherry trees should not have been damaged by this winter’s cold temperatures.