Michael May expects to see Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree maturation impacted for at least the next three years on his Chunky , Miss. , Christmas tree diagram farm after this yr ’s severe to particular drouth conditions that spanned most of the state .
“ It ’s been a jolting year because of the drouth , ” said May , who owns and control Lazy Acres Plantation . “ We ’ve drop off 5 % of the larger trees that would have been for sale this year . ”
Mild to restrained drought atmospheric condition unremarkably only affect trees up to 2 year old . More matured Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree can withstand moderate drought conditions better . However , with little to no rainwater for much of the state since late summer , drought conditions across the state range from severe to exceeding , harmonize to the U.S. Drought Monitor .
May said he planted 1,000 trees in January . He estimates well over half of those trees – 700 to 800 – died . His Newton County farm is let in in the fortune of the nation that is experience exceptional drouth .
At $ 3 to $ 4 per seedling , the loss of those tree mean an immediate $ 2,100-$2,400 financial personnel casualty . He also lose a class of growth on those 700 to 800 trees , which will touch on the accessibility of matured tree diagram later .
Tree ordinarily grow about 2 feet per year , but drouth conditions have stunt this twelvemonth ’s growth .
“ Trees that would have been 10 - foot trees this year are now just 6 to 8 feet tall , ” May say .
Jeff Wilson , gardening specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service , said conditions conditions were the greatest challenges for agriculturalist this year .
“ This year ’s drouth has affect trees of all long time , killing many of them , especially in the modest half of the state , ” he said . “ Freezing term in December 2022 and March 2023 also killed many younger trees . Some older Tree had to be pruned to slay frozen portions , causing some that would be sold this yr to demand another year of growth . ”
Wilson said these issues have caused a decrease in mature tree inventory across the state , and consumers who need locally grow trees should shop early .
“ Compared to last year , there will be fewer usable Tree , ” he state .
May plans to sell every tree he can , and they will go fast .
“ I ’m going to sell everything I ’ve got , but I ’ll sell out really early on – even in the first place than in the yesteryear , ” he enounce . “ If you want a topically grown tree anywhere in Mississippi , you well get it early . ”
Typically , most growers sell out by the second week of Thanksgiving . Some trade out on Thanksgiving weekend . Some Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree farm extend pre tagging , where consumer select their Tree a few weeks out front of when they render to collect the tree .
The intermediate price for a Christmas tree is $ 10 to $ 16 per foot or about $ 60 for a 6 - fundament tree . large tree diagram and certain varieties trade for more per foot because of the inputs , including working class and materials .
Wilson expects trees to sell for at least what they sold for last twelvemonth , while some growers may raise prices because of increase input signal prices .
May said his prices will remain the same – between $ 10 and $ 12 per understructure .
Days and time vary for farm that offer up pre tagging . Call to confirm if and when a tree farm offers pre tagging .
Source : msstate.edu
