As drought conditions continue throughout Nebraska, crops and trees could suffer even more.
Ten percent of the state is now in exceptional drought, which is the most severe classification, the National Drought Mitigation Center reports.
As a result, trees are succumbing to stress and disease, due to not getting enough water to fight off disease. Such trees are also susceptible to pests.
According to a National Forest Service worker, Ponca State Park just west of Sioux City has lost a great amount of its oak canopy due to drought. That's a condition that could increase the chances of wildfires.
The drought conditions are impacting winter wheat farmers so much they may cast aside a large amount of their crops.
Nebraska’s main winter crops are corn, soybeans, and wheat. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Statistics Services predicted that about 580,000 acres of wheat will be harvested, which is about 225,000 less than last year's harvest.
