Drought conditions hurt Manitoba Christmas tree farms
A holiday tradition going back generations may be in jeopardy for some as drought conditions has wreaked havoc on some local Christmas tree producers.
Three years of missed spring rains and a summer drought has adversely affected tree growth and impacted the number of available trees for Country Pines based out of Tyndall, Man.
“I should have at least about a foot to a foot and half of growth on my trees and if I’m getting six inches that’s all I’m getting out of them because of the moisture in the ground,” said Michael Kisiloski, chief operator for Country Pines.
The result is a crop one third the size of normal year and their backup order of pre-cut trees has yet to arrive.
“This year it’s going to be astronomical. I don’t even know if I can even open up my doors if I don’t get that supply of trees coming in cause right now there’s going to be a lineup about a mile long according to all the emails and phone calls I’ve been getting,” Kisiloski said.
Country Pines is not alone. In a social media post Kowalke Tree Farm, also in the area, said it won’t be opening this year.
“The drought this summer hit our crop of trees quite hard, and we don't have enough trees available to make it feasible for people to make the trip,” reads the post.
However, hope for a locally grown tree is not lost. South of Steinbach lies CD Trees and their situation is more promising.
Cliff Freund and his wife planted their first trees back in 1990 and started selling them in 1996. They also import some trees that don’t grow well in the province, like Balsam and Fraser firs, to supplement their supply.
They mainly produce Scotch Pine and White Spruce trees on their 30-40-acre property. Freund said once the young trees are about a foot or two tall they are pretty hardy.
He said the trees might suffer a little in growth because of the dry weather but it’s not really a big deal.
“The pine they usually grow more than they need to, because to get them to grow full we cut them back,” said Freund. “Some years we have to cut back a foot and a half and this year a foot or maybe six inches.”
The spruce, being a slower grower, might be set back a year.
The potential shortage of trees will be felt more by wholesalers and tree farms that rely more heavily on imports, according to Freund.
A frost in the northern U.S. producing area killed new growth and limited tree supply, leading some suppliers to limit sales to amounts from previous years and certain types of trees were not available at all.
Kisiloski said the demand on local tree farms has been growing while the number of local producers has dwindled over the years going from 15 in the area to five.
Country Pines has about 7,000 trees in various stages of growth, but the recent mortality rate of its seedlings has been high due to the weather.
To survive, Kisiloski said he’s going to have to change his approach and start hiring staff to water the trees on his property when previously it was left to Mother Nature.
“I can’t afford to lose the amount of seedlings out there cause I won’t have a farm left anymore,” Kisiloski said. “It takes ten years to grow a tree right, and if I get two years of good moisture the tree itself establishes itself and will take off,” said Kisiloski.
Both producers open their doors to the public this Saturday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.