Droughts past and present impacting Christmas tree farms, retailers' supply
"Then you feel that effect eight years later because it takes about eight years to get a tree," Nordstrom said. "That's the crop we would sell in eight years."
"Then you feel that effect eight years later because it takes about eight years to get a tree," Nordstrom said. "That's the crop we would sell in eight years."
"Then you feel that effect eight years later because it takes about eight years to get a tree," Nordstrom said. "That's the crop we would sell in eight years."
For some, there's nothing like a real tree to ring in the holidays, but for growers, retailers and suppliers, the drought has made it harder to supply enough trees for consumers.
"I wanted to make sure to get out here sooner than later," Paul Gilligan said.
He was out bright and early looking for the perfect spruce at Indian Creek Nursery.
"We waited for the gates to open to come in and get the premium tree for us," Gilligan said.
He noticed last year, the Christmas tree supply was limited at Indian Creek Nursery. The owner, Scott Farrington, said getting the amount of trees they want has been tough.
"We would want about a third more than what we're getting now," Farrington said.
He blames the drought, but not this current one.
"Six, seven years ago, there was two years of drought that went through all of the Midwest," Farrington said.
Weather Now Meteorologist Sean Everson says droughts can take a heavy toll on agriculture.
"It's not only the impact of the lack of moisture but the ripple effect that it has on livestock, crops and the economy," Everson said.
That limited supply then drives up demand.
"People are a little worried about getting a tree, so they're coming in sooner. We've already sold several trees before Thanksgiving," Farrington said.
This current drought is proving to be a doozy for Nordstrom Tree Farm.
"This year, I planted 2,100 trees. All, 2,100 probably died just because of the heat we had, and this area of Omaha did not get the rain," Scott Nordstrom said.
The effects of this drought will last for nearly a decade.
"Parts of eastern Nebraska are experiencing their driest year on record, and that is not only causing impacts now, but it will likely continue for years to come," Everson said.
"Then you feel that effect eight years later because it takes about eight years to get a tree," Nordstrom said. "That's the crop we would sell in eight years."
Nordstrom said they were only open for one weekend to try and save trees for next year.
"What I'm going to do to offset that is buy bigger trees next spring to plant and maybe try to jump into that year that I lost a little bit," Nordstrom said.
Nordstrom isn't letting this drought dry out his holiday cheer.
"It's just the nature of the business," Nordstrom said.