With unexpected warm weather in the middle of February followed by much colder weather more recently, some farmers are worried their crops may freeze.

Bridge Michigan says some fruit farmers across the state are pulling out their frost fans and starting brush fires to protect crops that budded early from dying in a spring freeze. To remain dormant during winter months, fruit trees require consistent cold temperatures.

Warm temperatures, though, have signalled the trees to “wake up” too early, starting to bud. Michigan fruit trees need an average of 1,000 chilling hours between 35 and 45 degrees before they wake up.

While most of the state has had at least 1,200 chilling hours this winter, trees in northern Michigan are trailing behind.

Too much damage to fruit crops can cause little to no produce for farmers, which could impact their operation and Michigan’s economy tremendously.