There's been talk of a late Spring this year.  The tree fruit growers like a late Spring, since there is less of a chance for a late frost to kill the flowers (no flowers=no fruit).  A harsh winter may affect insect and disease pressure for the Spring, but I don't know ... Somehow I think that the insects and disease organisms are so very hardy that they survive even the coldest of winters.  We'll just have to wait and see.