During winter, the buds on your tree enter a special state called dormancy, kind of like hibernation. It’s their way of staying safe during Central Otago’s frosty weather. They shut down to conserve energy, build up nutrients, and activate a clever defence trick called supercooling which means they can drop below freezing without actually freezing. Science, eh?

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Buds go through two stages:

• Endodormancy (deep sleep mode)
• Ecodormancy (awake, but waiting for the right temps to grow)

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Even though the tree looks bare, those little buds are hard at work, quietly building up the energy they’ll need to burst into bloom in spring. So next time you check your dashboard, zoom in close! Those tiny buds are the start of something sweet. 🍒

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Winter’s in full swing down here in Central Otago, and while things slow down above ground, there’s still plenty going on behind the scenes! We’ve finished pruning and now we’re getting your cherry tree clipped to our UFO trellis, keeping it nice and straight. This is a key stage in your tree’s development as it sets things up perfectly for strong spring growth and maximum fruit yield and growth.

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Think of it as a winter haircut and a bit of yoga all in one😂✂️ Not too long now before the bees will be buzzing, the buds will pop, and your electric cherries will be on their way. Can’t wait to show you more soon!

Central Otago’s been serving up frosty mornings and frozen gloves this past month, not exactly fun for the team, but absolutely perfect for your tree! The cold helps it rest and recharge, building up the energy it needs to burst into blossom when the warmer days arrive. Even with the inversion layer hanging around, we’re out here making sure your tree is getting the best care through winter — pruning, mulching, and keeping things tidy so it’s all set up for a cracking season.

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Only a few months to go before your trees icy branches turn into big, sweet cherries. Can’t wait!

‍Hey team, big news — your adopted cherry tree officially had a TV cameo!

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A couple of weeks back, we featured on A New Zealand Food Story with Ben Bayly, sharing the journey of how we’re growing export-grade cherries for Kiwi families using 100% electric machinery. It was such an awesome opportunity to show the rest of NZ what we’re up to and give people a peek at the very trees you’ve adopted. We loved having Ben and the crew out here, and seeing the orchard (and your tree!) on national TV was a real pinch‑me moment for the whole team.

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If you missed it, you can catch the full episode here: 👉 Watch here

We’ve just rolled out wool weed mats under your tree. Yep, actual wool!

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They’re made from sheep dags (the bits of wool that usually get thrown out) and turned into biodegradable mats by an awesome Kiwi company called Terralana. These mats keep weeds down, lock in moisture, and even insulate the soil through our frosty Central Otago mornings. Over time they’ll break down naturally and feed the ground — how good’s that?

We reckon your tree deserves the best care we can give it, and this is another step towards that. Right now, your tree is still in its winter rest and the cold’s exactly what it needs to set up a cracker season ahead. In a few months we’ll start seeing bud swell, then blossom, then fruit… and before you know it, harvest will be here!!

Just a quick hello from down here in Central Otago. We’ve been busy pruning and mulching and your tree’s had a proper winter prep now. We’re nearly through the orchard and things are looking tidy. Chilly mornings have started rolling in, but the trees are soaking up what sun we’ve got left before heading into their winter chill.

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Once again, big thanks for all your support. Stay tuned for the next update!

Euan and the team are busy pruning back the big dormant branches and mulching them back into the soil. This helps nourish the trees and provides them with all the nutrients they need to grow even bigger and better next season. It’s all part of making sure your tree produces the best cherries for you this harvest🍒

Your tree now has the perfect shape to grow the best fruit for the season ahead, we’ve run the mulcher through the old wood, recycling those branches right back into the orchard floor. That rich mulch will help feed the soil and lock in moisture for the hot days to come. Your adopted tree is looking great and is all set for a restful winter season before the big bloom in spring.

Our pruning’s almost wrapped up — just a few rows to go! Your tree’s had its annual haircut and is looking sharp and ready for the cooler months ahead❄️

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A tidy tree means better light exposure and makes our frost fighting efforts more effective once winter hits. Thanks to the Pickman Picca machine, we’ve doubled our efficiency this season — we’re tracking nearly a month ahead of schedule! 💪🌳⚡

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While your tree’s chilling out in the orchard, we took our fully electric Monarch tractor for a spin around Highlands Motorsport Park 🏁⚡️ Safe to say… it turned a few heads!

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Who said electric farming gear can’t have a little fun? 😎💨

🍂 Autumn has arrived at Forest Lodge, and your electric cherry tree is settling in for a well-earned rest after a fantastic harvest!

We’re currently busy with pruning, post-harvest maintenance, and prepping the orchard for winter, making sure every tree (including yours!) is in great shape for the cooler months ahead. The leaves are turning golden, the air’s getting crisp, and with help from our fully electric gear, we’re keeping things clean, green, and cosy🌳🍒⚡

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We’re thrilled to let you know that the cherries from your adopted tree are ready and will soon be on their way to you! Your tree has been lovingly cared for, and its delicious fruit is a testament to the season’s hard work and nature’s magic.

Keep an eye out for your delivery, and get ready to enjoy the sweet taste of your very own Electric Cherries.

Thank you for being part of the Forest Lodge Orchard family and supporting a sustainable future for NZ farming.

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The cherries are starting to develop that gorgeous dark red colour, a sign that they're almost ready for harvest. It won’t be long before they’re perfectly ripe and ready to make their journey to you. Lots of fun happening out on the orchard now were super busy getting everything ready and picking some of the earlier cherries to send out.

Your cherry tree is looking fantastic! The fruit is swelling beautifully and is nearly at its peak. Just a little more sunshine to bring out that perfect colour & sweetness before harvest🍒✨

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With the sun shining and the warmth growing, your cherries are swelling up beautifully. They're almost at that perfect sweetness, and harvest is right around the corner! 🌞🍒

A beautiful new stage in its journey! After a season of nurturing and care, we’re starting to see the first signs of fruitlets. These tiny beginnings will soon grow and transform into the sweet, juicy cherries you’ve been eagerly waiting for. It’s a delicate process, with each fruitlet developing as the tree channels all its energy into producing the very best Electric Cherries for you.

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be keeping a close eye on these little gems, making sure they’re protected from any harsh weather and getting all the nutrients they need. Our team is dedicated to ensuring your tree stays healthy and vibrant throughout this critical stage.

Exciting times as its time for your tree to be pollinated, the bees are coming in now and moving around the orchard making sure that each of your flowers gets visited.

Our crop is looking very promising this year and it’s estimated that we’re around 100 days till it’s time to pick your cherries from your tree.

Your cherry tree has now officially entered the White Tip phase, an exciting stage in its growth cycle. At this moment, the white buds are beginning to push out of their protective sheaths, preparing for their eventual blossoming. It's a delicate and crucial phase, as the buds gradually expose more of their soft, white petals, hinting at the vibrant blooms to come. This transition marks the culmination of weeks of preparation, where the tree has been gathering energy to support the rapid development that will soon follow.

The cherry buds have finally woken up from their long winter slumber, signalling the beginning of a new growth phase. After spending the colder months in dormancy, they're now on the verge of transitioning from the Tight Cluster phase to the White Tip phase. This exciting moment marks the start of visible growth, as the buds begin to swell and prepare for bloom. The next few days will see these tight clusters gradually open, revealing the first hints of white petals that will eventually lead to a full blossom. It's a promising sign for the cherry season ahead.

Your tree is eagerly awaiting the arrival of nearly one million bees from Taylors Pass Honey, which will soon fill the air with a buzzing symphony as they descend upon its blossoming branches to perform the vital task of pollination. These industrious pollinators will flit from flower to flower, transferring pollen and enabling your tree's blossoms to develop into lush, ripe fruits. This natural process not only ensures the continuation of your tree's life cycle but also contributes to the overall health and productivity of the orchard. The collaboration between your tree and the bees is a remarkable example of nature's interconnectedness, where each plays a crucial role in sustaining the other. As the bees go about their work, they bring with them the promise of a bountiful harvest and the rejuvenation of the ecosystem, making their anticipated arrival a pivotal moment in the season.

It’s creeping closer to Springtime, and following our winter jobs we’re now in the process of clipping your UFO tree to its support wire so it stands nice and tall waiting for Harvest.

Spring is just around the corner and it’s nice to see some greenery back onto your tree after a sleepy winter.

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Your tree has been pruned and is getting ready for blossom in Springtime. Orchard is looking lovely & tidy!

Our biggest harvest on the orchard so far, and the cherries from your tree were the biggest and juiciest we’d seen.

Our cherries got bigger & better by year, and this was our first export-quality harvest from your tree.

The first cherries were picked off your tree, and it was our very first harvest on the orchard.

We gained our NZ0 certification which means that we officially use zero fossil fuels both on the orchard and in production.

We installed our UFO growing trellises, meaning your tree grows Upright for the most efficient harvest and best cherries possible!

The Forest Lodge journey began, and your tree was planted.