How weather challenges can limit supply of Christmas trees
As we approach the peak of the holiday season, many Christmas tree farms have already sold out of trees.
Transcript
00:00 10 years ago, Larry and Ashley Lada had one wish for Santa to own this Christmas tree farm in Pennsylvania, one of the nation's top tree growing states.
00:12 So we actually saw this property when we were looking at our wedding venue and we absolutely fell in love with it.
00:17 It all came full circle.
00:19 We found out that my pap knew the owner and he was looking to sell and lots of conversations later, we were finally able to make our dream a reality.
00:27 They bought it right as the pandemic started, which unexpectedly boosted Christmas tree sales across the country.
00:33 The couple spent countless hours getting the farm and its existing trees ready to spread some holiday cheer.
00:39 Last year was the first year we sold trees.
00:41 So we're still building up our inventory.
00:43 It takes about six to eight years till we get a nice size Christmas tree.
00:47 So last year it was from here to here.
00:50 With two growing seasons behind them, they've learned that if the Grinch doesn't steal Christmas, the weather might.
00:56 That's the frost damage that injured these buds.
00:59 Keeping their trees healthy has been challenging.
01:01 We started with a very dry spring right after we got all the trees in, we had zero rain.
01:08 And then after that, we did a complete 180 and we had rain constantly.
01:12 Drought or flooding can impact their height and color.
01:15 So we're looking for that foot of growth per year.
01:18 So if we don't get that, then maybe that tree takes two years longer to get to market than it would otherwise.
01:23 Heat waves and cold snaps can also cause troubles.
01:26 A lot of the trees this year, we had a late frost and it zapped the growth on the very tops of the trees.
01:32 And those branches just didn't develop this year.
01:35 The couple says what makes it worth it is when it begins to look a lot like Christmas around the farm and their trees start selling.
01:42 We love seeing people creating their family memories here.
01:45 That's what we're doing.
01:46 And we're sharing that with others and happy to do so.
01:49 For AccuWeather, I'm Emmy Victor.
01:52 (wind blowing)