Business & Tech

Christmas Tree Farms Lose Young Trees to 2012 Drought

The drought and heat of 2012 killed younger Christmas trees, but those you'll want to buy around Downers Grove are ready for purchase.

Young Christmas trees -- those planted this spring or last year -- were most affected by the drought and heat of 2012. 

Charles Ide, who runs Ide Christmas Tree Farm in Downers Grove along Plainfield Road, told the Chicago Tribune every one of the several thousand trees he planted this year and last died. It's the worst damage in the 55 years he's run the farm, the Tribune reported

But when you go to purchase your Christmas tree, you won't see a shortage. Christmas trees take about a decade to grow, and the older trees weathered the harsh conditions the best because they have a more extensive root system to reach moisture, according to the Tribune

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David Daniken, past president of the Illinois Christmas Tree Farm Association, told the Trib that most farmers can work around a year or two of major Christmas tree loss. 

A Christmas tree farmer from Peotone said he planned to plant 5,000 extra trees after losing 20 percent of his baby evergreen crop this year, according to the Trib. 

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Where to buy a Christmas tree: 

PLAINFIELD

Anderson Tree Farm

WHERE: 24031 W. Route 126, Plainfield
WHEN: 
Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through Christmas Eve, Saturday, Dec. 24
PRICE AND OTHER NOTEWORTHY NUMBERS: 
The 60-acre cut-your-own farm sells 2,500 trees annually, including balsam and Douglas firs and white pines at $5 a foot, as well as pre-cut fraser pines from $65 to $120. Other offerings include fresh wreaths and roping, free hot chocolate and popcorn, a petting zoo and a gift store.
MORE INFO: 
Visit Plainfield Patch's story on the farm, or call 815-436-2140

WOODRIDGE, DARIEN & DOWNERS GROVE

Ide Christmas Tree Farm

WHERE: 1500 83rd St. 
WHEN: 
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Sunday, Dec. 18
PRICE AND OTHER NOTEWORTHY NUMBERS: The farm offers 45,000 spruce and pine trees on a 35-acre property spanning Woodridge, Darien and Downers Grove. Trees cost $60 a piece and saws can be rented for $5; no credit cards accepted.
MORE INFO: Read a full story about Ide Christmas Tree Farm on Downers Grove Patch, visit the farm's website, or call 630-743-4032

LEMONT

Puckerville Farms

WHERE: 13332 Bell Road
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily through Christmas Eve, Saturday, Dec. 24
PRICE AND OTHER NOTEWORTHY NUMBERS: Since 2004, the five-acre farm has sold fraser firs starting at $38 in price and ranging from 5- to 12-feet-tall in size.
MORE INFO: Read Lemont Patch's story on Puckerville Farm, visit its listing in Lemont Patch's places directory, or call 708-508-0906

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