If a live tree is part of your Christmas traditions, be prepared for the possibility of having to shop early and pay more, as a variety of factors are contributing to an overall shortage of trees this holiday season.

Tree farmers in British Columbia are concerned that wildfires and heat waves have taken a toll on their supply of Christmas trees this year, driving up prices, although how much Vancouver Islanders might be affected c0uld depend on where and when they are shopping.

Cory Gunter-Smith, who owns Alberni Christmas Trees with wife Kris, said recent news reports that there is a shortage of trees this year is exaggerated.

香蕉视频直播淭hings are OK. The summer before last was a bit brutal; a lot of what we planted didn香蕉视频直播檛 survive. We香蕉视频直播檙e in good shape,香蕉视频直播� he said. He doubts there will be a dip in availability a few years from now when the seedlings that died off should have matured.

For Tom Verbrugge of Tom香蕉视频直播檚 Trees in Port Alberni, it香蕉视频直播檚 less about the quantity of trees but affected and more about the quality.

香蕉视频直播淢y trees aren香蕉视频直播檛 as full as they could be,香蕉视频直播� Verbrugge said. 香蕉视频直播淭wo years of drought did take its toll.香蕉视频直播�

Mike Day of Doveside Christmas Tree Farm in Courtenay said severe weather has not only affected trees this year but will do so in future years 香蕉视频直播� up to eight years from now.

香蕉视频直播淲hat we香蕉视频直播檝e been seeing in particular with Covid, is that there has been a much higher demand for trees. In a regular year, we usually sell up to 400 trees a year. This year, we香蕉视频直播檙e expecting about 120 trees.香蕉视频直播�

Day added the farm essentially stopped offering pre-tagged tree sales a few weeks ago. For anyone cutting their tree, he suggested cutting them a week later than usual as needle retention may not be as good as in the past.

An increase in fertilizer prices and additional maintenance due to heat and lack of precipitation have also contributed to the rising cost. Day explained more maintenance and labour are required to look after the trees, as they have not been as robust as in past years.

香蕉视频直播淎 good example is to look at the apple crops we香蕉视频直播檙e getting at the grocery stores from Washington State. They are much smaller - and cost more - compared to past years, and the crops are much more limited. The same thing happens with Christmas trees.香蕉视频直播�

In the spring, farmers shape the trees for the coming year and the stress of shaping forces the trees to densify. This year Day said because of weather and environmental factors, that didn香蕉视频直播檛 happen, and this year trees are generally not as tall or as dense as they usually are.

Dani Frances, owner of Alberni香蕉视频直播檚 Mossy Stumps Tree Farm said the drought has affected her replanting more than her mature trees.

香蕉视频直播淢y seedling mortality last summer was on average 35 percent for grand fir and 100 percent for the nobles planted in one of my fields,香蕉视频直播� she said. In 2021 she noticed that the tops of some of her more mature trees were scorched from the sun.

Douglas fir usually fare better during drought, she added. A typical Douglas fir Christmas tree takes eight years to grow, while a noble fir takes 10-12 years until they are at an average height.

香蕉视频直播淧eople can count the rings on the trees if they want to know how many years the farmer has cared for that tree香蕉视频直播攑lanting, fertilizing, mowing or brushing, shearing and harvesting,香蕉视频直播� Frances said.

香蕉视频直播淲e are at the whim of the weather.香蕉视频直播�

Many Christmas trees sold in British Columbia actually come from the east coast of Canada, where the majority of Christmas tree farms are located, he said. For those wondering why there are not more farms locally, Day noted unlike traditional farming, Christmas tree farms are a long-term investment.

香蕉视频直播淭here香蕉视频直播檚 about a 10-year wait until you see the first crop.香蕉视频直播�

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