TANGIPAHOA PARISH, La. — For some, November 1st means it's time to deck the halls, while others wait to set up the tree after Thanksgiving.
Owner of Brush Branch Christmas Tree Farm & Pumpkin Patch in Loranger, Natalie DePhillips, said they start right after Halloween.
“Immediately we cleanup the pumpkins and start putting things out," DePhillips said.
But real trees may be harder to come by this year due to this summer's extreme heat.
“We’ve actually lost probably over 75 percent of our trees. So, we’re still sort of assessing the damages," DePhillips said.
DePhillips blames the drought.
“We did try to water them, but it was pretty much impossible," DePhillips said, “It’s pretty much you have to start back over from ground zero. So, we will have to order more trees.”
DePhillips said taller trees are more expensive to replace, and they don't plan to pass that cost to customers.
Brushy Branch isn't the only Northshore farm making tough decisions.
Photos posted by Christmas Town Christmas Tree Farm in Kentwood show brown trees citing, "Extensive damage due to drought." The farm said they won't be opening this season.
Farms with irrigation are likely to have faired better.
“If I could do it over again I would probably install that," DePhillips said.
DePhillips also said different types of trees were affected worse than others, but they'll still open for the holiday season.
“We still want to bring back the Christmas adventure is what I call it," DePhillips said.
Brushy Branch opens the day after Thanksgiving from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays.
Tiger Branch Christmas Tree Farm in Covington is open Nov. 24th, 25th and 26th. Then, December 2nd, and 3rd, 2023 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Shady Pond Tree Farm in Pearl River is open weekends 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. after Thanksgiving and weekdays by appointment. Pre-tagging runs Nov. 13 to Nov. 22.
Yawn Station Tree Farm in Independence is open daily starting Nov. 18 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. , except Thanksgiving Day 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. They will close for the season after Dec. 10.
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