Author: Burkholder

Like the magic of the Christmas season, the humble Christmas tree is a gift that brings beauty and life to our homes. Burkholder has a big supply of Christmas trees this year, even though 2022 brought significant challenges for Christmas tree growers. Those challenges resulted in some places experiencing a shortage of fresh trees due to the supply chain and weather conditions in certain parts of the country. We will explore the challenges of growing Christmas trees this year, what the industry is facing, and where you can get a live, fresh Christmas tree this year.

Over the past few years, the live Christmas tree industry faced several challenges, ranging from the supply chain to climate. One issue affecting many businesses across the United States is continuing freight/shipping/logistics/supply chain slowdowns. In addition, some places that sell Christmas trees, but purchase them from other sources, like farms, are experiencing issues with getting enough trees shipped to them in time. Another reason for a potential shortage is the climate and weather.

The summer of 2022 was arid, with many countries experiencing drought. These drought conditions significantly impacted plant development. Growing Christmas trees requires, patience, as trees take around ten years to mature and need specific soil conditions to thrive: if the soil is too wet, issues like root rot occur; if the soil is too dry, the trees can get stunted. Because of the dry summer earlier this year, Christmas tree farmers had to tap into other irrigation methods to keep their supply healthy. As a precaution, farmers often plant more trees than necessary to mitigate losing trees. However, the length and severity of this year’s drought may have resulted in limited Christmas tree stock.

If you want a place to get Christmas trees, visit Burkholder’s Holiday Market. We have a large collection of live Christmas trees to purchase. This year, we will have a more extensive selection of live Christmas trees, including a new species and more small trees. While plenty of trees are available, you may be wondering which species to get. Different species of trees offer characteristics that some people may prefer while retaining the qualities of a good Christmas tree. Below are the different species we have available at our Holiday Market.

The Fraser fir is native to the Appalachian Mountains in the Southeastern U.S. The Fraser fir is one of the most popular species for Christmas trees. Named after Scottish botanist John Fraser, the tree has several characteristics that make it a good choice for a Christmas tree.

• Strong limbs to retain shape
• Soft, dark-green needles so your fingers will stay safe hanging the ornaments
• Mild, pleasant fragrance, which is good for people with allergy concerns
• Compact form and size for easy transportation

The Turkish fir makes an excellent choice for people looking for a more exotic Christmas tree. Turkish firs are native to a single region in the entire world, Mount Ida in northwestern Turkey, and have traits that make this species an increasingly popular choice for homeowners.

• Short, deep green needles that stick upward, revealing a bright, silvery underside and creating a flashy two-tone effect
• Short, deep green needles that stick upward, revealing a bright, silvery underside and creating a flashy two-tone effect
• A waxy texture to the needles helps restrict fragrances, which is good for those with allergies or sensitivities
• Sturdy branches give the tree a conical shape, with a dense foliage

For those interested in the classic, traditional Christmas tree, look for a new tree we have available at our Holiday Market: the Fraser-Balsam fir. The Fraser-Balsam cross fir is a hybrid of the Fraser and Balsam fir trees, with the benefits and characteristics of both species.

• Shiny, waxier, dense needle coverage and retention
• Durable, sturdy branches and structure
• A nice fragrance, giving you a pleasant, festive aroma without being overpowering

If you and your family are hunting for that perfect Christmas tree this holiday season, visit our holiday market! Get festive holiday gifts and share family fun by roasting marshmallows around the fire and even getting an early visit from Santa. Visit our holiday page for special event dates, or contact us.

Everyone loves a lush lawn, but keeping your property looking this way can be challenging, and care for a lawn during a drought requires special attention. When homeowners see their lawn go dormant and the grass turns brown, many look for ways to keep their yards as lush and vibrant as possible. Thankfully, things can help keep your lawn healthy during hot, dry weather, including mowing, watering, mulching, fertilizing, and controlling weeds. 

The following tips will help relieve some of the issues you may run into with your lawn during drought.

One of the methods of drought-proofing your lawn is to mow high. Having your lawn mowed high will help prevent disease and insect infestations and allow you to save on water. Your lawn should be at least 3 inches long for healthy turf growth in drought conditions.

In these drought conditions, we recommend erring on the side of caution: leave your grass a little longer than usual until things start looking better. You can always cut shorter later if needed! Plus, taller grass means less sunlight reaching each blade. While sunlight is necessary for grass, less sunlight helps keep grass cooler in hot weather like PA residents experience each summer

Another way to care for your lawn during drought conditions is to water deeply and infrequently. Many homeowners think watering frequently would be better in a drought, but the opposite is true. When a lawn receives shallow watering, shallow root system growth is encouraged. As a result, the roots only grow down 2 to 3 inches, enough for your grass to stay alive. However, that depth is too shallow for grass roots to access deep soil moisture that could help them survive drought conditions more easily.

On the other hand, when you water deeply (i.e., over 6 inches), you encourage deep root growth that can reach moisture in pore spaces between soil particles. This reduces evaporation from your lawn and makes more water available during drought periods when rainfall is scarce or nonexistent.

To help with watering, get a sprinkler irrigation system to ensure your grass receives water at the correct depth and time. Sprinkler systems can efficiently provide water to your lawn and plants so that you can save time and conserve water. Smart irrigation systems can also be programmed to water based on a schedule or even use weather data and adjust the irrigation schedule dynamically.

Mulch is an organic layer of material applied to the soil’s surface. One of the reasons to use mulch, particularly during hot weather, is that mulch helps to retain moisture in the ground and prevent weeds from growing. In addition, you or a landscape professional can make mulch from any organic material, such as bark chips, grass clippings, and sawdust.

You should avoid excessively fertilizing your lawn during drought conditions, especially with fertilizer that contains high amounts of nitrogen. Too-frequent or excessive application of nitrogen-rich fertilizer can cause your grass to grow. This new growth is more susceptible to the harsh weather conditions of drought. In addition, lawn grasses need an ample amount of water to absorb fertilizer’s nutrients, which is more difficult during a drought. So any fertilizer you apply may be less potent than in cooler seasons like fall.

Weed control is a critical part of lawn care. Unfortunately, weeds are one of the biggest causes of lawn damage and can be challenging to control. A significant reason weeds need to be kept in check is that weeds compete for water and nutrients with your grass. During a drought, when water and nutrients are tougher to get, the weeds will use up the water and nutrients that should be going to your grass. In addition, weeds also provide an ideal environment for fire to spread.

In summer, many homeowners look for sprinkler systems to help maintain a green lawn during drought conditions. Burkholder Brothers offers a free consultation and will design an irrigation and sprinkler system that is right for your landscape. If you work with us, our team can install a sprinkler system to help you spend less time on your lawn and more time enjoying your outdoor space. For more information about irrigation systems and our services, contact Burkholder today.