While snow and cold temperatures have remained in the Gorge for an unusual period of time through the first week of March, it should not have a major impact on area orchards.  OSU Extension Horticulturist Ashley Thompson says right now bud death is not being observed in the trees, adding temperatures weren’t warm enough earlier in the winter to get them started.  She says they are still on schedule for a relatively normal bloom date.  Thompson noted some orchardists have been out pruning in snowshoes over the past week.  She says temperatures have gotten warm enough to allow that work to be done safely, and it is work growers have to get done by spring.