Christmas trees are a long-running tradition for many, but modern-day circumstances are slowly transforming the tree farming industry.

Increasingly unpredictable weather is one of the biggest challenges Michael Cormack faces on the Christmas tree farm he owns and operates one hour north of Toronto in Goodwood, Ont. His grandfather started the business back in the 1950s.

“Mother nature is a big, big factor in the business,” Cormack told CBC Toronto.

“This year in July, we were averaging over 29 C. So we had trees from two to three years ago that just died. … Four years ago, we had a tornado here that wiped out a bunch of our stuff.”

Michael Cormack is a third-generation Christmas tree farmer. (Rob Krbavac/CBC)

That’s just one of the issues changing how local Christmas tree farmers

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