Back on the island - Japanese apple/pear tree

Wow, I am surprised at that Klahanie. Here in Surrey, the forsythia is in full bloom & the Magnolias just beginning, an awful lot of yellow around with all the daffodils & some welcome blue of the grape hyacinth & anemone blanda.
I would have thought that everything would be much later where you are up north.

I was surprised as well Feverfew. I checked the last year photos and we are definitely 2-3 weeks ahead of time. Apparently they had a mild winter.
We are not "up north" from you, Feverfew. Victoria on Vancouver Island is below 49th parallel that would be below UK . Maybe somewhere in France? And being surrounded by the water makes for moderate climate .
We are the banana belt of Canada :-) Our house is just a couple hundred yards from the ocean and about 70 ft above sea level. I hope we are not going to experience a tsunami in our lifetime as we are sitting right on the fault.
Off-shore, the Juan de Fuca and Pacific plates are spreading apart, forming a mid-ocean ridge. We have mini earthquakes often.

I loved Vancouver Island when I was there 46 years ago! My hub has been in Ontario (he was raised in North Van) 50 years...next year! The November of 1969 saw both a serious sea storm ( the jetty at Sooke ended up on the highground) but a small earthquake as well. Will never forget the trip over on the ferry to Tswassen (sp?) with the windows boarded up in Dec. it was a very scarey crossing. oh yes...roses blooming in February! Would love to grow camellias and magnolias~ Do you grow fruitbearing plum trees or just the ornamental?

Big storms here scare me too Lori. I like to go south that we do not have to be here to experience these winter storms. When we come back the scattered branches from our big trees are unbelievable mess... the lawn is covered. And some of these branches are not so small.

I have 6 plum trees. 2 were here when we moved in (green gage plums and Italian blue plums) and I planted 4 more trees. Stanley, Santa Rosa, Damson and one I do not remember what it is as it never produced any fruit.
I love plums.

Mmmm..so do I! I think I might be able to grow the Damson variety, but fruitwise Greengage is a favourite .My Mom used to preserve them in jars and what a treat it was in the middle of the cold bleak winter to have plums for dessert. ... It would have to be the hardiest one... I have Apple trees and crabapples, hazel, walnut (black), and beech trees and one mystery beside the crab near the stream.... I can't tell what it is as it seems to have fruiting spurs but nothing ever develops...not even blossom. Have been hoping it's a cherry. It looks like it was grafted on an apple rootstock.

Sorry, Klahanie, shows how bad my geography is! I thought you went south to avoid freezing temps & lots of snow, but it seems that storms are the problem. I have now studied the map to see where you are. I hope there is never a Tsunami. (Don't slip between the plates)! ☺️

I have couple of hazelnuts as well but I never see a single nut ....just lots of shells. It is a favorite squirrel food and Jay's. Actually most of my produce is consumed by different critters.
I assume that all your snow is gone, Lori?

Feverfew, we are escaping winter storms, rains, low clouds and generally dreary grey days . Not much fun.
Although it rains almost every day in winter , the summers are very dry on the lower Island. No rain whatsoever.
All the geologist on the earth tell us that we will fall in the ocean eventually...it is only matter of time. Hopefully not in our lifetime.

I remember, when you planted this. It is also advanced.

You are right Katarina this is a good location for fruit trees. I planted 5 (this, 2 cherries, 2 plums) and they all look very mature already and bearing lots of fruit.

Must be a humid and sunny weather over there.

I wish it would be less humid and little more sun at the moment :-).