ANNVILLE, Pa. — Families all across the Commonwealth are beginning to claim their perfect Christmas tree - however, some may not end up with the biggest choices, thanks to this year’s dry weather.
“This was probably the worst spring drought. Spring droughts are the worst for tree growers," said Rod Wert, co-owner of Blue Ridge Christmas Tree Farm.
Parts of central Pennsylvania have been experiencing abnormally dry to moderate drought conditions throughout the year. So far, rainfall totals are more than nine-and-a-half inches below average in the Harrisburg area.
Rob Wert and his wife, Jody, say the dry conditions this spring have stunted the growth of some tree species, like the Fraser Fir. They said thousands of trees will be unable to be sold this fall.
“I don’t like to spray my trees in a drought, or when there’s high temperatures," expressed Rod. "But I took a chance because I was getting behind and we damaged about 3,000 Fraser Fir because of it.”
“A few people will come and be like, ‘Where’s your biggest Fraser Fir,’" said Jody. "They’re used to going across the street, and those are the trees that were damaged.”
Jody said the drought hasn't completely discouraged customers, and that they are instead choosing different types of trees to bring home this holiday season.
“They’re satisfied," she said. "They’re just like, ‘Okay, this year I have to get something different, or go with the smaller tree.'”
Despite the dry conditions causing the not-so-typical selection, Rob and Jody look forward to welcoming families to their tree farm and helping them pick their perfect Christmas Tree.