Cherries in northern Michigan have been hit hard by weather this year. President of King Orchards in Central Lake Township between Traverse City and Charlevoix, John King, says the extreme weather seems to be regular now.
“The early warm up in March that was followed by temperatures down to 25 that lasted a good two or three weeks, the trees bloomed and then they were subjected to unseasonable cold.”
King says they’d normally harvest one million cherries. Now, he expects to harvest 50,000 tart cherries and 80,000 sweet cherries. He says they’ll get by with other crops they have, peaches, apples and strawberries.
