Pre Christmas battle with the weather conditions

This year’s Christmas tree and wreath, etc. shipping season by Rich and Steph on Redrock Farm has been a continuous battle with the “harsh” weather conditions so far this late fall.  I’d say that winter started a couple weeks ago, but officially it doesn’t start for another 9 days.

We’ve had three “nor-easters” that have given us (so far) a total of 1.5 feet of wet, super-heavy snow.  The first two storms were immediately followed by frigid conditions that froze snow on the trees and then moderated to let it melt off.  This latest big nor-easter has never allowed the snow to come off the trees.  In order to get trees to ship to our customers, first I have to slog through the wet, super heavy snow (my tractor will no longer get through it without spinning and digging itself in) second I must dig down through  to get to the base and level sawing position and cut the tree, which just stays there in upright position until I heave it out of the deep snow.  Normally the tree would weigh about 30 pounds, but being loaded with snow makes them weigh at least twice that.  After dragging the heavy tree to the shed I use the tree shaker to try and shake some of the snow out…it does get out some, but then I must take the tree into the shed to melt off the snow for a couple days, then give it a final shake before prepping for insertion into a shipping box.  We must do the same procedure with every tree…very hard work and very time consuming.

Our choose and cut customers have also commented that this is the hardest work they have ever done to get a fresh cut Christmas tree.

We hope that all things average out and next year will be easier, but I suspect that these storms are a result of climate change and that they will be more frequent in coming years.  Sometimes I glad I’m getting old because full retirement is somewhat in sight…this year I’m very glad that I’m a fit 62 year old.

Steph has also had to deal with drying wet brush to make all of her garlands, wreaths, kissing balls, etc.

Merry Christmas to all!!