Freeze takes heavy toll

By Staff
Fruit lost, row crops suffer, most ornamentals OK
Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
Record-breaking cold temperatures over Easter weekend ruined the local fruit and nut crops—peaches, plums, apples, pears, blueberries and pecans—and caused substantial damage to winter wheat and early-planted row crops. Also badly burned was the tender growth on many shade trees, flowering plants and ornamental shrubs; however, their full recovery is expected.
Low readings of 24 and 25 on March 3 and 4, respectively, were record setting temperatures.
On a positive note Reeves said he is thankful that his strawberry crop is alive and well.
Fruit crops weren’t the only ones damaged.
Reeves said some of the county’s large row crop farmers switched from cotton and soybeans to corn this year because of high prices brought on by increased demand for corn in the fuel industry. Seed corn of the type being planted is in short supply and some may find it difficult to get the seed they need to replant.
He advised homeowners with damaged shrubbery and shade trees to be patient and let nature take its course.