Minnesota Tree Growers Predict Balsam Fir Shortage

BEMIDJI, Minn. (AP) -- Some Minnesota Christmas tree growers are expecting the balsam fir variety to be in short supply this holiday season.

They say an early spring followed by a cold snap in May caused damage to the balsam fir in Minnesota and other parts of the country.

Natascha Smrekar operates a tree farm near Guthrie in north central Minnesota. She says the frost caused the trees to grow unevenly through the summer and growers had to do extensive trimming to make them suitable for sale.

She tells Minnesota Public Radio News the frost affected growers across the state. Smrekar says balsam fir buyers may have to look a little harder for the variety because there are fewer.

(© Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)