Northern Michigan Blossom Watch: Orchard farmers report that cherry, apple and apricot fruit trees are starting to bloom this week and will hit their peak over the next two weeks. The micro-climates of Northern Michigan can vary greatly, allowing one orchard to bloom as much as two weeks earlier than one just down the road. The lakes, hills and breezes work to create warm and cool spots that help determine when an orchard will bloom.
Rachel North, a MyNorth.com/Traverse Magazine staffer reports that apple orchards along Elm Road in Suttons Bay are starting to bloom this morning and should be fully open by the weekend. Blossoming trees along the Traverse City Parkway are just beginning to sprout, while several Front Street trees are covered in white frilly blossoms.
So grab your camera and get out these next few weeks to see Northern Michigan’s glorious blossom season.
Where have you seen blossoms beginning to show?
May 23rd update:
Center Road on Old Mission Peninsula, is in full bloom. Take highway 37 north from Traverse City to Center Road.
Take US-31 to Eastport and turn onto M-88 towards Bellaire through the King Orchards for a blossom tour.
For a blossom tour on the Leelanau Peninsula, follow M-22 out of Traverse City to Cherry Bend Road, then turn on Center road from Cherry Bend. Center will run into Suttons Bay where you can grab lunch. On the North end of town turn west on highway 204 towards Lake Leelanau. Eagle highway turns north from 204 before the narrows and it will meander through orchards all the way to Omena.