Extreme heat kills Christmas trees on Hillsboro farm
HILLSBORO, Ore. — The extreme heat and drought are taking a devastating toll on trees, especially Christmas trees grown in the Northwest.
One farmer said they lost 100% of their seedlings this year because of the record heat, which will impact their business for years to come.
“It’s just really a bad time to be a Christmas tree farmer -- probably the worst year we’ve had,” said Matt Furrow, co-owner of Furrow Farms.
Dana and Matt Furrow couldn’t believe the damage from the recent heat.
“We knew there would be some damage, especially to the Grands and Nobles, but I really didn’t think the Nordmann firs would have top damage like that,” said Dana Furrow, co-owner of Furrow Farms.
Even trees that do better at lower elevations are gone.
Dana said she feels helpless.
“You’re sitting here watching threes that we’ve been growing for six-plus years. Every year you trim, fertilize, you have labor costs into that, and you’re watching them die in one day,” she said.
“Certainly for this last event for trees that were already close to the edge, it will push them over, and we’ll see trees dying as a result,” said Glenn Ahrens with Oregon State University Extension.
He said trees that were exposed to the heat likely suffered the most, as opposed to trees sheltered by the forest canopy.
However, the Furrows are not giving up.
“We’re not sure how far it’s dying back yet,” Matt said about one tree. “You can see it looks a little burnt and dehydrated, so we’re hoping there are going to be some live buds here, so it can grow out and make a new limb. We hope we can still save that tree.”
The Furrows said they lost about 50% of their trees that they were planning to sell this holiday season.