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Drought-Stressed Trees Could Shed Needles Early
14 Dec
Summary
- Severe drought this summer has stressed Christmas trees, risking needle loss.
- Growers advise buyers to select freshly cut trees and keep them watered.
- Farmers are adapting to climate change with irrigation and new planting methods.
Christmas trees may arrive bare this holiday season due to the most severe summer drought recorded since 1977. The dry conditions have significantly stressed spruce, firs, and pines, impacting their ability to retain moisture once cut and brought indoors. This could lead to premature needle drop, potentially leaving some homes without a full festive fir by December 25th.
Growers are urging consumers to select recently cut trees and ensure they are placed in water, similar to a bouquet of flowers, and kept away from radiators. For those cultivating the trees, adaptation is key. Farmers are installing irrigation systems and experimenting with autumn planting to give saplings a stronger root system before dry periods.
While mature trees are more resilient, the industry is actively preparing for future climate challenges. Researchers are developing hardier tree varieties, and growers are shifting planting schedules. These efforts aim to ensure a more robust supply of Christmas trees in the face of increasingly extreme weather conditions.
