Last fall's heavy rains helped trees grow larger, and more fungus
HERMANN -- The holiday season is a time for many families to gather together and spend time around the Christmas tree; but last summer and fall's unusual heavy rains may dampen some people's holiday tradition.
Leroy Rood, president of the Missouri Christmas Tree Association and owner of Pea Ridge Forest Inc. in Hermann said this year's heavy rains have helped the trees grow.
"From a tree standpoint we've had the best growing season that we've had in probably four or five years," said Rood.
Missouri's hot and dry summers usually slow tree growth, but this year's damper weather has also grown more fungus on the trees. Meaning farmers need to spray their crops more frequently with an anti-fungi spray, costing them more labor.
"You just got a basic expense in growing the trees and taking care of it," said Rood. "You'll spend a little more in years like this where we spray more times because of the rain."
And because farmers are spending more so is the consumer.
"Everything else is more expensive," said Rood. "Gas is more expensive, labor...the whole nine yards. This adds into it a little more."
Higher prices don't seem to be keeping people away. In fact growers said their numbers are up from, last year, despite 2009's tough economy.
Pea Ridge Staff said they sold around 800 trees over the Thanksgiving weekend. Last year they did around 750.
This past weekend they sold 700; in 2008, it was just less than 600.
"We've been out here for 37 years and there's been probably three or four different economic periods where this time of year things have been pretty tight," said Rood. "People always come and get a Christmas tree."
Rood also said that tree growth can vary in different parts around the Show-Me state, but this year every farmer has seen the same amount of growth.
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