Ice on Apple Trees: Why Himachal Growers Are Trying This Winter Fix
As natural chill declines, some orchardists freeze their apple canopies, a risky attempt to match old weather patterns and save yields in changing winters.
Himachal’s apple belt is trying a strange fix this winter: turning orchard branches into ice-coated frames. With snowfall thin and cold spells shorter, growers fear the trees may miss the chilling hours needed for clean bud break and flowering. So some have started running sprinklers late at night so water freezes on twigs and buds, hoping it mimics the old, steady mountain winter. The trend has been catching attention online and in local news feeds, and it is not slowing down.
Why the Energy Transition Matters for Global Power Structures
In districts like Shimla, Kullu and Kinnaur, the idea is simple: freeze the canopy, buy time, and protect the crop. But horticulture experts and even other farmers are split. Several reports note that surface ice does not automatically equal proper chilling inside the tree, and sudden freezing can stress buds instead of helping them. That worry is now part of the conversation too.
A Risky “Jugaad” or a Survival Move?
The Tribune’s coverage on “ice cover” orchards pushed the story wider, and the visuals made the method look dramatic. See the post here: The Tribune update.
