Early Blossoming of Apple and Cherry Trees Raises Concerns in Himachal Pradesh

Farmers in Himachal Pradesh are facing an unprecedented situation as apple and cherry rootstock trees begin to flower months ahead of their usual schedule. This unusual phenomenon has raised alarms among horticulturists, who fear the long-term effects on fruit yield and quality due to climate change. Experts highlight that rising autumn temperatures and shifting snowfall patterns are disrupting natural growth cycles. With concerns about economic fallout and potential production losses, the future of the region's fruit economy hangs in the balance. Discover more about this alarming trend and its implications for farmers in Himachal Pradesh.

By Narendra Chaudhary Nov 5, 2025, 16:56 IST

Unusual Flowering Phenomenon Stuns Farmers

Shimla:
In a surprising indication of shifting weather patterns, apple and paja (cherry rootstock) trees in Himachal Pradesh have started to bloom significantly earlier than their typical schedule. This unusual occurrence, noted in various orchards around Shimla, has left horticulturists anxious about the potential long-term effects on both fruit yield and quality.

Normally, paja trees blossom between January and February, while apple trees typically flower in April. However, this November, farmers in regions like Balawag village near Shimla have already observed new blossoms. Orchardist Ashok Thapa expressed his astonishment, stating, “It’s shocking — my Gala apple trees are flowering right now,” emphasizing that he had never seen anything like this before.

Experts Warn of Climate Change Implications

Dr. Sandeep Sharma, a senior scientist and former acting chairperson of the Himalayan Forest Research Institute, labeled this development as “a major red flag.” He pointed out that the snowfall patterns, which used to be consistent in November and December, are now occurring later in February and March, disrupting the natural growth cycles of these trees.

“The early flowering of paja and apple trees is a clear indication of climate instability. Increased autumn temperatures have interrupted the dormancy period of these plants,” Dr. Sharma explained.

Supporting this view, Dr. Vijay Singh Thakur, former Vice-Chancellor of Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, remarked, “Premature blooming is a clear symptom of climate change. In certain areas where summer pruning occurred recently, the warming effect has prompted flowering.”

Economic Concerns for Farmers

An official from the Himachal Pradesh Fruit, Flower and Vegetable Growers’ Association described the situation as “a worrying omen” for the fruit economy of the state. He noted that the Royal apple belt has already shifted nearly 1,000 feet higher due to warming trends. If this early flowering trend continues, lower elevation areas may struggle to maintain commercial apple farming.

Farmers are apprehensive that if cold waves hit later in the winter, these early blossoms may not produce fruit, leading to significant production losses.

Research Indicates Climate-Related Yield Decline

A recent study revealed that apple productivity has decreased by approximately 11% over recent decades. Nearly 80% of orchardists surveyed identified climate change as a significant factor; 76.5% reported changes in flowering times, while 78.5% noted that fruits now mature earlier than in the past.

Experts caution that these “out-of-season flowers” are not a sign of health but rather a signal of distress. With rising autumn temperatures, unpredictable snow patterns, and reduced chilling hours, the future of Himachal’s renowned apple economy remains uncertain.