Dangers of an Early Spring
We appreciate that many are growing impatient for Spring.
Plants however are waiting for Spring and if they think it is
here (warmer/lighter) it will trigger growth. This can lead
to significant damage from cold snaps, which can knock the plants
back. The recovery from this uses up its resources, weakening
the plant.
Think of a plant as a self reinforcing upward spiral, with each
part of the plant's growth, giving the energy for the next.
For example if a late frost defoliates a tree, it reduces the
amount of energy (by using energy for a new flush of leaves),
available for growth, which reduces leaf size / canopy density /
extension growth, which reduces photosynthesis, which reduces the
available energy ....