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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Yellowknifers may be enjoying this summer's warmer than usual weather but it's taking a toll on the plants and trees around the city.

Tamara Christen, greenhouse manager at Arctic Farmer Nursery, said plants have needed more attention this summer because of the warmer than usual weather. Staff are out watering plants twice daily when last year they were watering them as little as twice a week, she said. - Miranda Scotland/NNSL photo

More than 20 black spruce trees around the building and near the paved parking lot are dead. Meanwhile, some of the flowers in the area are turning brown and wilting.

"We don't believe that there is any infection or anything like that going on," said Brian Thagard, sergeant-at-arms. "It's just the nature of the season that we are having this year with it being so hot and dry. Even with our flowers and stuff we are having trouble. We are out there watering them every single day and they are still looking pretty wilted and rough."

Average temperatures in Yellowknife have been higher than normal this year. On July 10 the city broke a daily record when it reached 31.9 C. The previous record, held since 1975, was 28.9 C.

Also, Thagard said some of the dead trees are from last year and just haven't been cleaned out yet.

"We are just waiting to get out there and do a little pruning and cleaning up of that area," he said, adding he isn't concerned about the number of dead trees at this point. "It's the same thing at my house in my backyard. My tree leaves are starting to go brown on them and I can't afford to keep watering them."

Although, the warm weather has meant more work for gardeners Tamara Christen, greenhouse manager at Arctic Farmer Nursery, said there is an upside.

"I think the vegetables and everything are growing better because of the heat," Christen said, adding the growing season has also been longer. "The season began the middle of May this year and last year it was the beginning of June."

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