New Yorkers may be getting ready to put their Christmas tree up soon, but the recent drought could be putting a damper on that holiday spirit.
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, nearly 60% of the Northeast was in drought last week, and more than a quarter of it was in severe drought conditions.
The owners of one local Christmas tree farm spoke on the impact this has had on their business and how they are adapting to the Christmas tree troubles.
Thousands of guests visit Stokoe Farms in Scottsville hoping to find their perfect Christmas tree.
“We pick out a tree and have one of the kids stay in there so nobody would take it,” visitor Ingrid Kron said. “And then we would spend the next 20, 30 minutes looking for another tree and go right back to that tree. And that's what we would cut down. It's hilarious.”
Kron's family has made it a tradition every year to visit the farm.
“It’s somewhere between 15 to 20 years,” Kron said. “My kids now, you know, their kids and my granddaughters and grandsons. And so we all gather around, you know. It's precious because time is short. And to me, family is everything.”
With hundreds of options to choose from, it's a privilege not every farm across the state can offer.
Sixth-generation farmer Suzanne Stokoe, owner of Stokoe Farms, says their trees have been doing fine during this dry spell.
“A lot of people are talking about the drought now,” Stokoe said. “So it's not affecting this year or next year or the year laters crop because these trees have an extensive root system. So they're able to survive that.”
Hundreds of trees there are continuing to thrive, many planted eight to 10 years ago. The real concern will be the younger ones starting to grow this year.
“We were lucky here in our area that we had enough moisture, so our mortality with our small trees was not as bad as some areas have seen,” Stokoe said. “If it gets too dry, if it gets too hot, that affects those new trees because they are developing their roots.”
Offering a variety of options for its guests to choose from during its Christmas tree opening weekend.
“We offer Frasier fir, Douglas fir and concolor fir,” Stokoe said. “In the past couple of years, we're selling about 5,000 Christmas trees.”
Stokoe shares tips to keep in mind when bringing the tree from the farm to your home.
“I have four tips-water your tree, water your tree, water your tree and keep it away from any heat source,” Stokoe said. “Checking it daily and keeping it full of water is going to make your tree last well past New Year's.”
Hoping to avoid their own drought in one’s living room, Stokoe is confident in the quality and supply of the trees just in time before Thanksgiving.
“It's just nice to know that we are supported by the community and we are creating the best Christmas memories,” Stokoe said.
For over 212 years, the Stokoe Family has been farming. Stokoe says their story is one of growth, diversification and innovation. Working around the clock to maintain the trees, every day seems like Christmas Day, welcoming families to experience cutting their own tree and creating memories of a lifetime.