I think Eds plant is first to bloom because he grew it in pot, and gave the plant lots of positive energy...he really wanted it to flower worse than anyone i think:..and the plant didn't want to dissapoint Ed I guess...
I notice many of my plants bloom quite early (maybe because I grow only in pots...?) I think the tree has less energy it can devote to roots, and it's biological processes wander into a sexual realm, instead of a vegetive one.
trees in ground are just too happy, and make nice deep roots, and larger trees that typically flower later than container specimens.