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Growers Sweat Out The Freeze

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By STEPHEN HAMMILL, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 9, 2008

KEYSTONE - Citrus growers in the Tampa Bay area spent the New Year on high alert last week as freezing temperatures threatened crops.

At Cee Bee's Citrus, 16907 Boy Scout Road, it was all hands on deck for the seven-man crew as last Wednesday's overnight temperatures fell to the low 20s.

The 302-acre collection of groves specializes in fresh and rare varieties of grapefruits, oranges and tangerines. The 14,000 trees produce fruit from November through June. A freeze can result in lost crops for a year.

"We had no freeze damage to the fruit, thankfully," said owner William Burchenal. "Duration is a key factor."

Low temperatures rose to the 40s the following evening. "If it stays below 32 degrees for three or four days you can lose everything," said Mike Dennison, Cee Bee's grove manager.

"Plus the wind kept the cold air moving, so it didn't set in," Burchenal said. "It was our saving grace."

Most of Cee Bee's oranges are sold to juicers. Six years ago, Burchenal began selling gift boxes and specialty baskets of fruit and honey out of state to colder climates via Web site orders.

It also supplies citrus products for public schools in Pasco and Hillsborough counties.

"We pick and pack everything the same or next day. Nothing sits around here for very long," Burchenal said. "A freeze is just about the worst thing that can happen to us; it shuts down the whole operation."

In addition to cold weather, fruit-based diseases such as citrus canker and the general economy pose the greatest threats to orange groves, according to staff.

Reporter Stephen Hammill can be reached at (813) 865-1523 or at shammill@tampatrib.com.

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