Here's the feature article from our weekly newspaper about the recent cold snap.

Blackberry Winter Damage

-- Bren (wayoutfarm@skybest.com), May 31, 2002

Answers

Thanks Bren! I didn't realize you all grew so many Christmas trees in NC. I bet they'll be expensive later this year because of the weather! Funny that you all are south of us, yet we didn't have those kind of temps. The mountains sure play havoc with the micro temps. We had some cold nights, but no heavy frosts, even in the valleys. Alot of people here also, me included, had our gardens out and farmers had their tobacco planted. I can't remember the last time it was so cold in May. Usually by the middle of April we're pretty much over the cold weather. I was holding my breath a few nights though!

-- Annie (mistletoe6@earthlink.net), June 01, 2002.

Actually, we are north east of you. :) Our house is just minutes from both the TN and VA state lines. The closest "real" town is Mountain City, TN! We've been able to enjoy some great activities in these other states since we are a lot closer to them!

-- Bren (wayoutfarm@skybest.com), June 03, 2002.

Here's an updated story for anyone who's interested. The estimated damages to the Christmas tree industry is now at $58 million in just our county alone!

Blackberry Winter Update

-- Bren (wayoutfarm@skybest.com), June 24, 2002.

Gee, Bren. That sounds pretty serious for your county. I can remember...many years ago (!!)...that my hubby filled an order for Christmas trees that were sent south to Maryland and Virginia (can't remember if N.C. was included) because there was a serious freeze problem. Here in Maine we grow the Balsam fir for Chrstmas trees which stands up to freezes much better. Sure hope the future is not too bleak for North Carolina!! My mom and her husband live in Pinehurst and she never told me about this!

-- Marcia (HrMr@webtv.net), June 24, 2002.

Marcia, yes, I think this is becoming pretty serious. To make matters worse, this area use to grow a lot of tobacco and most have been switching over to trees due to the lack of demand for tobacco. What really got these trees is that we had very warm weather early and the trees started putting on new growth. The new growth just couldn't take the cold weather for that long. It's really sad to drive around and see the Frasier Firs with burnt brown ends and all the Blue Spruces with droopy tips (some trees are kinda pretty like that -- looks a little like snow covered brances -- but the magority just look bad). Since this only effects a few counties in the mountains, I don't think the rest of NC is really aware of the problem.

-- Bren (wayoutfarm@skybest.com), June 25, 2002.

I am from North Carolina, and we live in a sheltered valley near the GA.State line. We suffered no damage to our Fraser Fir, and I tend to think the damage was only spots. I am the Guinness World Record holder for fresh Fraser Fir Wreath making, and I disagree about Balsam holding up better to weather.Thanks ,and check us out at www.ncmountainwreaths.com

-- Robert Cabe (karlene@dnet.net), November 07, 2004.