Weather Drought Killing Christmas Trees

Ace Gunner · 08-08-2012, 07:27 PM

Drought Killing Christmas Trees

MASON, Mich. — A mid-Michigan farm reports the drought is responsible for killing many newly-planted Christmas trees.

Mel Koelling has been growing Christmas trees at Tannenbaum Farms in the Mason area for about 35 years. He tells WILX-TV that older trees typically are more drought-resistant and are doing okay. But he says he's lost about 4,000 of the roughly 10,000 new Christmas trees.

Similar problems have been reported in Wisconsin.

Caledonia Tree Farm owner Russell Kook near Merrimac, Wisc., says most of the 4,500 seedlings he planted this year have died. Kook says other growers he's talked to are experiencing the same losses.

The State Journal says Wisconsin has about 900 Christmas tree farms that produce about 1 million trees a year. The state ranks fifth in production nationally, according to the State Journal.

Wisconsin growers say there should be plenty of trees this season because the older trees have deeper root systems and can survive the drought conditions.

It takes 7 to 10 years to grow most standard-sized Christmas trees. So Koelling says he'll try to make up for losses by planting twice as many next year on his Michigan farm.

Koelling is also keeping an eye on the weather as summer continues. If drought conditions remain he says there could be more Christmas trees killed.

http://www.weather.com/news/drought-...trees-20120808

______________________________________________

Ace Gunner · 08-08-2012, 07:27 PM

Planetman · 08-08-2012, 07:28 PM

Luckily, I don't purchase my Christmas tree in Michigan.

Frosty · 08-08-2012, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Planetman

Luckily, I don't purchase my Christmas tree in Michigan.

Me either. Five bucks and the gas to drive up to the mountains.

They will probably be really nice this year, too, as it's been a wet spring and summer.

LiveSteam · 08-08-2012, 07:37 PM

Plastic

**BigMeatballDave** · 08-08-2012, 07:40 PM

Merry Christmas!

**DaKCMan AP** · 08-08-2012, 07:43 PM

Except for the unfortunate loss of income for the farmers.

BoneKrusher · 08-08-2012, 07:44 PM

i thought there wasn't gonna be a Christmas in 2012?

well, according to the history channel.

**BigMeatballDave** · 08-08-2012, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoneKrusher

i thought there wasn't gonna be a Christmas in 2012?

well, according to the history channel.

Silly Mayans forgot to factor in Leap years...

Toadkiller · 08-08-2012, 07:58 PM

I think Oregon is still the leader of producing xmas trees, no worries no drought up here.

**mikeyis4dcats.** · 08-08-2012, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toadkiller

I think Oregon is still the leader of producing xmas trees, no worries no drought up here.

a LOT of them sold in the midwest come from MI and WI. Especilly the Frasiers and other firs.

They had taken a good jump last year, I think our Frasier ran us $80.

Toadkiller · 08-08-2012, 08:04 PM

Well you guys are ****ed then.

listopencil · 08-08-2012, 08:04 PM

Oh no, who will save Christmas?

08-08-2012, 07:27 PM	Topic Starter
Ace Gunner First Overall Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: kcmo Casino cash: $10007271	Drought Killing Christmas Trees Drought Killing Christmas Trees MASON, Mich. — A mid-Michigan farm reports the drought is responsible for killing many newly-planted Christmas trees. Mel Koelling has been growing Christmas trees at Tannenbaum Farms in the Mason area for about 35 years. He tells WILX-TV that older trees typically are more drought-resistant and are doing okay. But he says he's lost about 4,000 of the roughly 10,000 new Christmas trees. Similar problems have been reported in Wisconsin. Caledonia Tree Farm owner Russell Kook near Merrimac, Wisc., says most of the 4,500 seedlings he planted this year have died. Kook says other growers he's talked to are experiencing the same losses. The State Journal says Wisconsin has about 900 Christmas tree farms that produce about 1 million trees a year. The state ranks fifth in production nationally, according to the State Journal. Wisconsin growers say there should be plenty of trees this season because the older trees have deeper root systems and can survive the drought conditions. It takes 7 to 10 years to grow most standard-sized Christmas trees. So Koelling says he'll try to make up for losses by planting twice as many next year on his Michigan farm. Koelling is also keeping an eye on the weather as summer continues. If drought conditions remain he says there could be more Christmas trees killed. http://www.weather.com/news/drought-...trees-20120808 ______________________________________________
Posts: 10,580

08-08-2012, 07:27 PM	#2
Ace Gunner First Overall Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: kcmo Casino cash: $10007271	__________________ The Greatest
Posts: 10,580

08-08-2012, 07:28 PM	#3
Planetman Superhero Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Secret Location Casino cash: $10085080	Luckily, I don't purchase my Christmas tree in Michigan. __________________
Posts: 2,243

08-08-2012, 07:37 PM	#5
LiveSteam The Constitutional Choo choo Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: homeof43conferencetitles Casino cash: $-1624568	Plastic
Posts: 44,708

08-08-2012, 07:40 PM	#6
BigMeatballDave GBM 8-12-15 Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Dayton, Oh. Casino cash: $10052154	Merry Christmas! __________________ 2015 Adopt-a-Chief: Tamba Hali
Posts: 59,997

08-08-2012, 07:43 PM	#7
DaKCMan AP Beloved & Awesome CP Celebrity Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Florida Casino cash: $5604952	Except for the unfortunate loss of income for the farmers. __________________
Posts: 35,714

08-08-2012, 07:44 PM	#8
BoneKrusher That's Right Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Bluefield, Virginia Casino cash: $9976645	i thought there wasn't gonna be a Christmas in 2012? well, according to the history channel. __________________ "MaHomes/MaAuto"
Posts: 7,333

08-08-2012, 07:58 PM	#10
Toadkiller Garlic make my feet stank! Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Washougal, WA Casino cash: $4504921	I think Oregon is still the leader of producing xmas trees, no worries no drought up here.
Posts: 2,049

08-08-2012, 08:04 PM	#12
Toadkiller Garlic make my feet stank! Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Washougal, WA Casino cash: $4504921	Well you guys are ****ed then.
Posts: 2,049

08-08-2012, 08:04 PM	#13
listopencil Immanentize The Eschaton Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: In Partibus Infidelium Casino cash: $-1004120	Oh no, who will save Christmas? __________________ *While you live, shine. Have no grief at all. Life exists only for a short while and time demands its toll.*
Posts: 56,862