If You're A Real Christmas Tree Person You Better Get Yours ASAP This Year Because There's An Extreme Shortage Christmas Tree Farmers Warn

WVLT - Farmer and owner of Bluebird Christmas Tree Farm, Leo Collins tells us he’s been growing Christmas firs for over three decades.

Collins says this year is the worst he’s ever seen when it comes to shortages.

“We would normally have about 600 to sell this year, and this year’s we’re gonna have more like 350 or like 400,” shared Collins.

He says the shortage of Christmas trees has been years in the making, with people not growing enough trees after a big influx of trees years ago.

Each tree takes eight years to grow, Collins says that’s why when there’s a shortage, it’s hard for farmers to keep up with demand.

But he’s hopeful within a few years, the shortage will subside and prices of the Christmas firs will come down.

“I think next year will be a bit easier to get trees, and the next year (after that) will be a bit easier and then by the third year it should not be a problem getting 6ft to 8ft trees. The bigger ones take longer to come back,” shared Collins.

There’s also a shortage of artificial Christmas trees this year. Experts say it’s because of supply chain issues and the shortage of truck drivers.

So my Christmas tree guy, (yah, I have a Christmas tree guy, everybody should have "a guy" for everything), hit me up back around Halloween and asked me if I wanted him to set aside a tree for us this year because there's a crazy shortage. 

I didn't think he was crazy because he actually told me last year when I picked ours up that there was a shortage and that next year (this year) was going to be a shit show. (This was before knowing we would be dealing with the supply chain debacle that's currently affecting anybody and everybody in every industry right now).

Well turns out my Christmas tree guy, Joe from RAL Garden Center in Crown Point, Indiana, right on the Lincoln Highway, was dead fuckin on.

As an expert in the Christmas tree game, I asked his opinion on what the hell's going on, and here's what he said.

We strive to bring in the highest quality and consumer demand is higher than ever (like everything right now). Almost all my tree suppliers have no help or very little workforce. Every single live Christmas item (Christmas Trees, Wreaths, Roping, Greens) we had to pick up ourselves. I personally drove to North Carolina, the UP of Michigan, and Wisconsin to get our stock, which was very costly to make happen as no truckers want to haul unpalatized loads. In my eyes, it’s the lack of workers and cost of wages for the workers they have. Every supplier said the same thing with the help issue. It’s very physical work that people don’t really want to do. Also, many of the growers are getting older and there is no one to take over their operation.

In addition to the various labor issues, there are supply shortages. From 2008-2012 many growers did not replant fields to start growing more trees during the horrible economy and financial crisis. We are paying dearly for that now while trying to keep up with the demand for big trees. A lot of that will not straighten out until 2023-2024 for some growers even longer. We advised our regular customers to pre-order this year just so we could supply them. It has been a great challenge for all in this market all over the USA.

This guy, and lots of people that sell trees it turns out, drive all the way to the Carolina's and load up, then drive back. I guess the Carolina's are the Christmas tree growing capital or something? 

Anyway, the trees from there are fucking beautiful. 

But like all things in a free market, supply and demand has affected pricing. So some trees cost hundreds of dollars now if you can find them.

And I know what some of you are thinking. "Fuck it, I'll just get a fake tree this year."

Well those are fucked too.

NBC - If you’re in the market for an artificial Christmas tree, you may want to start your shopping now. Supply chain issues and inflated shipping costs are causing a shortage of artificial trees at local stores.

Owner of Taylor Creek Mike Capp says this year he's experienced significant delays with the delivery of Christmas trees and decor. He says normally his store's artificial trees would arrive in early fall, but due to delays fueled by the nationwide workers shortage, many still haven't arrived.

With no way of knowing when the rest of his trees will arrive, Capp says there also may not be as wide of a selection this year.

That's why if you’re shopping for an artificial tree, Capp says his advise is to get out early and often. He is asking customers for patience if the style or height of tree they want is not currently in stock.

So hopefully this news helps Stoolies get out there and get their trees before they're SOL. 

Don't panic though, the American Christmas Tree Association (yes that's a thing) has issued a statement.

CHRISTMAS WILL NOT BE CANCELLED!

The Guardian - Days after reports of shortages of Thanksgiving turkeys proved premature, the American Christmas Tree Association was moved to promise Americans that “Christmas will not be cancelled”, amid reports of looming problems.

The statement from ACTA, which represents the artificial tree industry, came amid concern that supplies of both plastic trees and live Noble, Frazer and Balsam firs will be subject to supply chain issues and the effects of the climate crisis.

ACTA said shipping costs for plastic trees could quadruple compared to 2020, because of supply chain problems. Chinese-made artificial trees on ships unable to unload at US west coast ports have been re-routed through the Panama Canal to the east coast, doubling delivery times.

Supplies of natural trees have been hit by problems including rising labour and transportation costs and extreme heat and wildfires that scorched north-western farms this summer.

p.s. - speaking of canceling Christmas…