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Farmers

Drought Hits Christmas Tree Farm, Worst in Memory Since 1976 and 1977

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Walter Beard, a Christmas tree farmer with over 50 years of experience, is facing the worst hot and dry weather on his crop since the drought of 1976 and 1977. Beard, company director at Leigh Sinton Farm and Nurseries Limited, has been forced to spray his Christmas trees at night and prioritize the younger crop due to water shortages and dry weather. A drought was declared in Worcestershire last month, with this year's dry start to the year being the driest since 1976. Beard's family has owned the farm since 1947, and he has been growing Christmas trees there for decades.

Key Takeaways:

  • The drought has been the worst since 1976 and 1977, according to Walter Beard, a Christmas tree farmer with over 50 years of experience.
  • Beard has been forced to spray his Christmas trees at night and prioritize the younger crop due to water shortages and dry weather.
  • A drought was declared in Worcestershire last month, with this year's dry start to the year being the driest since 1976.
  • Beard's farm primarily sells Christmas trees directly to customers, with them going on sale in the five weekends leading up to Christmas.
  • The farm uses a combination of irrigation and foliar feed to help deal with the hot weather.
  • The water shortage has forced the farm to spare water for younger trees, ranging from five to eight feet, which are in high demand during Christmas.
  • The drought is expected to end with higher rainfall in September, allowing the farm to replenish moisture in the trees through their roots.
  • The retention of pine needles on the trees is crucial, and the farm needs a couple of months to get moisture back into the trees before they are cut down and sold.

Statistics:

  • 1976 and 1977: The last drought experienced by Walter Beard that was as severe as the current one.
  • 1947: The year Walter Beard's family bought the farm, where Christmas trees have been grown for decades.
  • 50 years: The length of time Walter Beard has been growing Christmas trees.
  • 5-10pm: The time period when the trees are sprayed with foliar feed during the night to provide nutrients and keep them healthy.
  • 5-8 feet: The size range of the younger Christmas trees that are in high demand and must be spared water due to the drought.
  • 3 months: The time frame the farm will have to replenish moisture in the trees through their roots once the drought ends, starting in September.

Sources:

  • "A CHRISTMAS tree farmer said the hot and dry weather affecting his crop is the worst in his memory since the drought of 1976 and 1977." (The Express)
  • "A drought was declared in Worcestershire last month as the area experienced the driest start to the year since 1976." (The Express)
  • "Leigh Sinton Farm and Nurseries primarily sell their Christmas trees direct to the customer, with them going on sale in the five weekends leading up to Christmas." (The Express)
  • "To help deal with the hot weather, the farm uses a combination of irrigation on the younger five to eight-foot trees, where water is available, and periodically sprays the trees with foliar feed." (The Express)

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