Sadly, Christmas trees could become a lot more expensive this year as the time for going Christmas tree shopping is among us. According to Today, the reason for this includes a multitude of factors including environmental reasons, the 2008 recession, a tight supply of trees, and pandemic-related issues with shipping and trucking.
Shortages for individual growers could definitely occur, but that doesn’t mean consumers need to worry about a shorter supply… just potentially higher prices than last year’s.
Here’s why Christmas trees could be more expensive this year
Tim O’Connor, the executive director of the National Christmas Tree Association, opened up about what’s going on with the trees this year. “We continue to say it’s not a shortage,” he says. “You think back to the time when you went to a grocery store and there was empty shelves of toilet paper or paper towels, that is a shortage, but we don’t expect anything like that.”
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“There’s not a community in America that’s ever come to my attention where after a week of being open, there’s not a tree left to be bought. That just doesn’t happen.”
Christmas tree farms are struggling to meet demands
The 2008 recession is a big factor in this
Best buyer tips
In order to get the best tree possible at a potentially more affordable price than is anticipated, O’Connor has some tips for buyers. “I think the thing consumers should do is plan to get their tree right after Thanksgiving. If they’re ready to get their tree, that would be a good weekend to go do it. It would ensure they have the most choice.”
“It’s likely this year that places will be a little more picked over. We’re optimistic there will be a tree for everyone who wants one, but be flexible. You might have your mind set on a certain variety, and you may have to take a different one or go to multiple locations to find it.”
