The cost of the drought goes beyond rising prices for groceries. Now tree farmers are worried the lack of rain will damage their crop of Christmas
Jim Keller was surprisingly happy with his current crop of Christmas trees.
"The trees that are salable for this year are fine. There's not going to be any shortage of salable trees for this year," Jim Keller of the Cupola House Tree Farm, said.
Thanks to the drought, it's the next 5 to 10 years he is worried about.
"There might be some of the trees might be a little shorter, not as full , things like that. But, realistically if I do my job there's going to be just as many trees 5 to 10 years from now as there are now," Keller added.
Keller pulled dead seedlings from the ground. He has lost 90 percent of them, that used to be the percentage he would normally keep.
The drought left it's mark all around the south suburbs.
Over at the Payne Sod Farm in Manteno, some of the grass looks plush and green.
"It's been a tough year so far, we've been trying to irrigate as much as we can. We've been here pretty much all day and all night," Justin Payne said.
It comes with a price. "The housing boom really slowed down the past few years so we haven't need as much product. But the product that we're getting ready for this year, it's been extremely hard without the natural rainfall," Payne added.
You can see the difference in the sod. The owners aren't sure how long it will take to make the yellow grass look green again.
Payne Sod Farm believed the effects from the drought will also land on the consumer.
Price for fertilizer and sod could be up for the next few years because of the conditions today.
Sunday, May 19 2013 3:10 PM EDT2013-05-19 19:10:22 GMT
The derailment of an Amtrak City of New Orleans train on the Near South Side Sunday morning led to delays and a couple cancellations for trains on Metra's Rock Island District line.
The derailment of an Amtrak City of New Orleans train on the Near South Side Sunday morning led to delays and a couple cancellations for trains on Metra's Rock Island District line.
Sunday, May 19 2013 2:56 PM EDT2013-05-19 18:56:43 GMT
One adult and 11 juveniles were arrested Saturday night after police responded to groups of teens running through traffic around North Michigan Avenue on the Gold Coast.
One adult and 11 juveniles were arrested Saturday night after police responded to groups of teens running through traffic around North Michigan Avenue on the Gold Coast.
Sunday, May 19 2013 12:32 PM EDT2013-05-19 16:32:45 GMT
A 23-year-old woman was killed and four others were critically injured when two cars crashed into a building in the Far South Side Washington Heights neighborhood early Sunday.
A 23-year-old woman was killed and four others were critically injured when two cars crashed into a building in the Far South Side Washington Heights neighborhood early Sunday.
Sunday, May 19 2013 11:50 AM EDT2013-05-19 15:50:06 GMT
One number in Saturday night's Powerball drawing was the difference for a dozen Illinois players between being $10,000 richer and living the life of a multi-millionaire - whose ticket was purchased in Florida.
One number in Saturday night's Powerball drawing was the difference for a dozen Illinois players between being $10,000 richer and living the life of a multi-millionaire - whose ticket was purchased in Florida.
Sunday, May 19 2013 10:52 AM EDT2013-05-19 14:52:09 GMT
Four people have been killed and at least 15 other people wounded -- including a 12-year-old boy left in critical condition -- in shootings around the city since Friday night.
Four people have been killed and at least 15 other people wounded -- including a 12-year-old boy left in critical condition -- in shootings around the city since Friday night.
