Central Otago orchardists say trees have blossomed about a week earlier than usual, but other factors will influence the timing of harvest.
Blossom is pictured framing the much-photographed Teviot Union Parish Church in Roxburgh, and (inset left) fruit trees blossom in the Teviot Valley.
Ettrick fruitgrower Steve Darling said blossom in the Teviot Valley was running ''a good week'' earlier than last year. Last year's blossom was also about a week earlier than the year before.
However, it was the warm spring that made last summer's fruit harvest earlier than usual, Mr Darling said.
Teviot Valley trees generally blossomed about 5-7 days ahead of the Alexandra and Cromwell region every season, he said.
Jackson Orchards manager Mark Jackson, of Cromwell, said blossom there was also about a week earlier than usual, but other factors also influenced the timing of the harvest.
