Snow is going, gave the orchard a check for mouse damage etc

[jocelyn]

Had a nice slow walk around the orchard today.  Snow nearly gone, still lots of frost in the ground, but things look good.  Those two seedlings from Abate Fetel pears seem to have wintered, nice glossy bark and plump buds.
The Bosc seedling might bear again, not sure how many of the round buds are OK and not nibbled.
Lots of catkins on the hazels, none elongating yet, but they are nice and plump too, no shriveled ones
The Tey berries I planted are threatening to eat the yard again, cutting back time, or maybe flamethrower time, grin.

How do things look for others in northern areas?

[mskrieger]

My crab apple with the southern exposure has expanded buds and looks great. The young apple tree with north-eastern exposure hasn't broken bud yet. Definitely some cold damage to the tenderest shoots, but we had a hell of a winter here with whipsawing temperatures. Stone fruits look dour...I don't think we'll get any peaches. Sour cherries unclear. They are cautious and don't show budswell until midApril here. No rodent damage to speak of, thanks to my hardworking cat.