You’ve probably read the peak bloom time for the cherry trees* in Washington DC is now approximately five days earlier than their first recorded date in 1921. This seems to be a trend everywhere in the USA and is likely the result of climate change.
Plants, trees and shrubs are blooming earlier because of milder winters and earlier spring thaws. These changes in climate, in conjunction with the longer falls, have increased the growing season in the 48 contiguous states by almost two weeks.
*The trees were given to the city of Washington DC as a gift of friendship from Japan in 1912.
Affect of Changes in Growing Season
- These changes affect entire ecosystems.
- They disrupt plant-pollinator relationships.
- They increase pest outbreaks.
- They worsen allergies.
- They alter water flows.
- They produce earlier and longer fire seasons.
- They affect the local economy.
- They also can disrupt tourism like they’re seeing in Washington DC right now.
Valuable information, Donna. Unfortunately it seems more negative events will happen to our environment with more frost free dates.
That’s exactly what I was thinking.