Christmas tree shortage could mean higher prices, even sellouts

BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — If a real tree is a must-have for your Christmas, you may want to get one early this year.

A shortage of trees is affecting supply across the country and even tree farms in Western North Carolina are pining for additional stock.

Dale Hawkins is a co-owner of Sandy Hollar Farms in Buncombe County near Sandy Mush, he grew up working in the Christmas tree business.

“My dad planted the first trees in 1969,” Hawkins said. “We’re kind of shorter on, you might call it, the medium size tree. Nine to twelve feet, we’re a little short on those. Smaller trees we have plenty. Bigger trees we have plenty.”

Those medium height trees are in short supply because of the recession in the late 2000’s. As demand for real trees dropped, nurseries stopped producing seedlings.

“We’ve had a real tough time finding small seedlings to replant with,” Hawkins told News 13. “They tell me that some of the big nurseries out in the West actually pulled ten to twelve million seedlings and they had nobody to sell them to because they were over producing.”

Christmas tree varieties generally grow about a foot per year, so those 6-8 foot trees many consumers like will likely be in the shortest supply. Demand for real trees has returned but getting more seedlings has still been tough and that could mean higher prices.

“Real trees have made a heck of a comeback as far as market share percentage,” Hawkins said. “It actually keeps gaining every year.”

Some reports have estimated the shortage may last until 2025.

Tree farms and stands typically see their busiest days during the weekend after Thanksgiving.

If you want to avoid the crowds, Dale suggests visiting the farm on Thanksgiving Day or during a weekday.

Sandy Hollar Farms offers an option to pick and cut your own tree, or they will cut it for you. They also offer hay rides and wreaths among other items in their Christmas shop.

To find a pick and cut tree farm near you, visit the North Carolina Christmas Tree Association website and click “search for trees.”

The North Carolina Fraser fir is the most popular Christmas tree in North America, according to the North Carolina Christmas Tree Association. The state produces the second most out of any state in the country, second only to Oregon.