False spring causes fruit trees to bloom

In Bursa, some fruit trees have bloomed due to the false spring weather that emerged as temperatures rose above seasonal norms in January.

According to information obtained from the Turkish State Meteorological Service, the long-term average temperature for Bursa in January is recorded as 5.4 degrees.

TEMPERATURES ABOVE NORMAL

However, due to climate change and a dry period, the first two weeks of January in Bursa were reminiscent of spring days. While the air temperature reached up to 21.1 degrees in Mustafakemalpaşa during the week, it was measured at 20 degrees in Nilüfer and Gemlik, and 19 degrees in Osmangazi, Gürsu, Karacabey, İznik, and Harmancık.

Osman Başeğmez, the Bursa Regional Director of the Press Advertisement Agency (BİK), who is a former journalist and publishes nature photographs on his social media account, shared a photo of a blooming plum tree with his followers.

Stating that he is frequently exposed to questions from those who see the post asking "is the photo from the archive or is it new," nature photographer Başeğmez explained, "I photographed the flower blooming on the plum tree on January 12, 2025."

RISK OF FROST AND PESTS

Due to this unusual increase in air temperatures, farmers' concerns are also growing. Trees bloom at these times, and if a frost hits, there may be no harvest this year.

Furthermore, the temperatures that emerge during a false spring period can also increase the risk of pest infestation. This situation, which particularly causes harmful insects to wake up early from hibernation, can lead to fruit trees becoming more vulnerable to attacks by harmful insects during their flowering period.

News Source: 12punto