O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, your branches brown dismay us.

That's right, add Christmas trees to Georgia's down-and-drought list. Fraser fir and blue spruce buyers probably don't have to worry, since those are usually pre-cut varieties shipped here from moister climes. For those who traditionally get their trees from local cut-your-own farms, however, be prepared.

Jason Getz/AJC (ENLARGE)

Tommy Thompson trims a Leyland cypress at Thompson's Tree Farm in Lawrenceville. About 20 percent of the 800 new trees he planted dried up. The drought stunted others. 'At least they're here. People just might have to get a smaller tree this year.'

Jason Getz/AJC (ENLARGE)

Carolina Sapphire and Leyland cypress will be on sale this season at Thompson's Tee Farm in Lawrenceville. There are more 6- to 9-foot trees because the drought stunted their growth.

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Growers say consumers can expect stunted cypress, less than lush Carolina Sapphires and bland Blue Ice. And forget about getting a live tabletop tree that looks good. Many of the saplings and smaller trees planted in spring were baked to a crisp in the summer sun.

This doesn't mean every tree out there looks as scraggly as Charlie Brown's, but it does mean that in some cases, buyers will go home with smaller, less vibrant trees than in years past.

"I tried to dig a hole the other day to plant and I needed a pick to make a dent," said Russ Jordan, who, with his wife, Donna, owns Wee Three Trees Christmas Tree Farm in Fayette County. "The ground has no water in it at all. Go 12 inches down and it's still just baked clay."

The ironic thing is that many of the more popular Georgia-grown trees, such as Leyland cypress, prefer the soil to be on the dry side for good growth. But not this dry, said Tommy Thompson of Thompson's Tree Farm in Lawrenceville.

Thompson and his wife, Denise, have about 5 acres dedicated to Christmas trees including Leyland and Carolina cypress. Instead of having an abundance of larger trees in the 8- to 12-foot range, the drought stunted their normal growth pattern from 2 feet per year to more like 4 inches. That means there are a lot more 6- to 9-foot trees around.

"They still look OK, but there's just not much new growth," Denise Thompson said. "It's like they're dormant."

Less new growth translates into a less vibrant, slightly dull-green foliage.

Like many growers, the Thompsons don't have irrigation. Before stringent watering restrictions were mandated, they made what meager attempt they could to hydrate the soil; they'd stretch a garden hose as far as it would go, from the house to the field, and leave it on all night. It wasn't enough to save many of the saplings they planted in spring; about 20 percent of the 800 new trees withered.

The same was true for Jane and John Schudder of Rex Christmas Trees in Rex. They don't have a watering system and lost half of the 1,000 trees they planted.

They still have plenty of reasonably hearty trees to sell this season, but they worry about the future, as does Dennis Bottoms of Bottoms' Christmas Tree Farm in Cumming.

While many growers will do fine this year, the real effect of the historic drought will be felt in two to five years, he said.

"That means a possible shortage of medium height trees in the 7 foot range. Shortages could translate into slightly higher prices. Or more trees will be plagued with blight, Bottoms said.

"Sort of like if you or I were real stressed out or tired, we'd be more likely to catch a cold," he said.

Most cut-your-own lots are gearing up for what they hope will be a brisk sales season, which traditionally begins the day after Thanksgiving. Despite the unprecedented dry spell, they say, their trees will hold up sparkling ornaments and strands of twinkling lights just fine.

In fact, said Bottoms, "They may think they've died and gone to heaven when you take them home and put them in some water."