The cherry orchards along the east shore of Flathead Lake, Montana, are showing a promising bloom this year, contrasting sharply with the previous year's challenges. In 2024, a severe January freeze led to a near-total crop failure for local cherry growers. This year, however, the orchards, including Buena Vista Orchard in Bigfork, are filled with buds, signaling a potential recovery.
Bruce Johnson, owner of Buena Vista Orchard and board member of the Flathead Cherry Growers' Co-op, noted, "There are buds all over the place." The unique climate around Flathead Lake, where the lake acts as a "heat sink," typically provides more stable temperatures for cherry growth. However, last year's extreme freeze disrupted this pattern, resulting in a drastic reduction in Johnson's yield to just 3,000 pounds, only 10% of a normal harvest.
Brian Campbell, a field representative for Monson Fruit Company, commented on the weather conditions this year, saying, "This year our winter was a little more normal and we didn't have the severe drop in temperature. We had some cold weather, but it was gradual. These trees can handle cold weather, as long as there is not an abrupt change."
Monson Fruit Company plays a crucial role in processing and marketing the cherries from the Flathead Cherry Growers' Co-op. The company collects 80% of the co-op's harvests, which are then sold both domestically and internationally. A new challenge for the growers this year involves navigating the impact of elevated tariffs imposed during President Donald Trump's administration, which have affected international trade dynamics. Campbell remarked, "I can't foresee how [tariffs] would help us," highlighting concerns about the tariffs' impact on sales to Canada and Mexico.
The cherry harvest is expected to peak from late July into August, with orchardists preparing for a more robust season compared to the previous year. Campbell noted that last year's lack of cherries led to reduced customer visits, but this year the orchards anticipate a more active market.
Source: Daily Inter Lake
