Indiana Christmas tree growers are rethinking their planting strategies after the summer's heat and drought took a steep toll on one of their most popular holiday trees.
Some growers lost up to 10 percent of their Fraser fir crops. As a result they're looking at not planting that variety anymore because the Fraser firs don't tolerate Indiana's climate.
Fraser firs are native to high elevations and cooler climates found in the southern Appalachian Mountains. Temperatures above 85 degrees are hard on the trees.
Purdue Extension says climate change is pushing some species out of Indiana. In the future, more Hoosier tree sellers will likely just ship Fraser firs into Indiana from cooler areas.
