The effects of a microclimate

Paul-Louis Martin, historian and owner of La Maison de la prune, explains the effects of the microclimate created by the St. Lawrence on the trees in his plum orchard in Saint-André, Kamouraska. These effects are the same as those experienced by fruit trees, including plum trees, planted over 400 years ago. That’s right! 400 years ago, given that Damsom blue plums were introduced by Champlain and the Recollect Fathers in the 1620s.

The Blue Damson plum wakes up very, very slowly in the spring and goes into hibernation very slowly in the fall. The presence of the St. Lawrence and the temperature of its waters, which temper the coastal climate, have enabled both the Blue Damson and the Yellow Damson plum to adapt very well on the coast. For example, 2 to 3 km inland from the river, spring frosts can freeze the buds and flowers on fruit trees, while next to the river, the trees have not woken up yet as the water is still very cold. The buds open much later along the river than they do inland. I can vouch for this: in 30 years, I’ve hardly ever seen a frost on flowers or buds along the river in the spring. In the fall, the waters are warmer and there will be early frosts in September. There won’t be any frosts until early October both inland and along the river.

Account: Paul-Louis Martin
Collection Musée de la mémoire vivante, No. 2021-0049