This past weekend my family and I went out to search for this year’s Christmas tree, but it was a bit more difficult than past years. First, there are fairly few Christmas tree farms around where I live and with that, a couple of farms did not even open for the season. It took three different farms until we left with a tree on the roof of the car. During this experience, I noticed many differences as opposed to previous years. I noticed that the trees were much smaller than usual, that there was less of a tree selection than normal, and that there seemed to be an increase in prices.
So, I went to the internet to research why this may be or if I was just making it all up in my head. It turns out that other buyers and sellers across the nation are experiencing the same tribulations I was noticing when it comes to Christmas trees this year. Below are the main four reasons Christmas trees may be a bit scarce this year.
Weather:
Many Christmas tree farmers revealed to journalists that poor tree-growing weather conditions that took place in key growing regions have put some of those who grow and sell Christmas trees in a bit of a pinch. Given that it can take eight to ten years, or even up to 15 years, for a Christmas tree to grow but only a few days of unfavorable weather to destroy, really exemplifies how fragile the business of growing Christmas trees is.
Drought and temperature are the two factors that commonly put growth at risk. During drought, trees can experience stunted growth, becoming stressed and unusually dry. Summer is a crucial time of the year for a tree’s development. This is the season where tree farmers expect to see about a foot of growth in their trees so that they can count on the trees being of proper height to sell by Christmas.
Brown’s Tree Farm in Muncy, PA as well as several other locations across the nation saw minimal or stunted growth in their trees because there was not enough rain. The central plains experienced below-average rainfall across the Ohio Valley and into the Northeast. June, July, and August of 2020 saw below-average precipitation from the interior Northwest down through much of the Rocky Mountain states and into western Texas. The temperature was also a bit higher than the trees are typically used to.
For example, Brown’s Tree farm experiences summer temperatures that were 2-4 degrees Fahrenheit above average. A few years ago Nova Scotia experienced a June freeze that took a big toll on their Christmas trees.
Despite these stories, Mother Nature did spare a few areas in the U.S. from an overly hot and dry summer. Oklahoma Christmas tree farmers received more precipitation than normal and experienced a rather successful growing season.
Forest Fires:
Notorious forest fires are also the reason Christmas trees are struggling and with a very simple explanation: it only takes one forest fire to wipe out an entire piece of land with growing Christmas trees. There is a limited amount of trees planted and available each year, once a forest fire destroys those trees, vendors are left calling every farm in the country to try and fill their orders.
All the vendors that are selling Christmas trees this year purchased them 20-30% higher than they did last year, which explains why the customer sees an increase in price on their end as well. British Columbia has also experienced forest fires that have then caused droughts over the years, hurting their Christmas tree stock.
COVID-19:
For many seeking normalcy and comfort during a pandemic, there is an eagerness for the holiday season. Christmas tree vendors are seeing a direct correlation between this type of behavior and an increase in demand for Christmas trees. As families are unable to gather this year, they are now buying one tree per household, rather than just one for the house where they would normally gather. Additionally, many who normally go south for the winter are staying put and buying a tree for their home.
The decrease in the nationwide supply could not satisfy the increase in demand, resulting in higher prices across the board. There are also some Christmas tree vendors sitting this season out due to the pandemic, wanting to ensure the safety of their customers and staff. COVID restrictions also limit the abundance of Christmas trees this year as Canadian tree farmers are less likely to sell their trees in the U.S. this year due to public health concerns regarding crossing borders.
The Great Recession of 2008:
This last reason caught me a bit off guard. Maybe because I was not expecting something that occurred over a decade ago to show up in my research regarding what is taking place in the present. I did not have to read far for everything to make complete sense. As a result of the economic depression, Christmas tree farmers and growers in North America did not plant as many trees as usual or were not able to follow through with planned expansions. Since Christmas trees take around 10 years to grow before they are ready for home, the consequences of that dip in tree abundance are now highlighted.
The Christmas tree industry has been anticipating fewer trees this year as a result of the 2008 season and has worked to curb these effects so that consumers would be mostly unaffected. However, the long-lasting results of the 2008 Great Recession, poor weather conditions, forest fires, and COVID-19, all have exacerbated problems for growers this year.
Environmental Benefits of Real Christmas Trees
As I read statements from Christmas tree farmers I noticed a common theme. Many farmers hear that they will eventually be put out of business by artificial trees, yet they experience higher sales and demand for real Christmas trees every year. So, let’s go into the environmental benefits that real Christmas trees have to offer.
While they are growing, Christmas trees support life and benefit us by absorbing carbon dioxide and other gases and emitting fresh oxygen. Farms that grow Christmas trees not only create scenic green belts, but they aid in stabilizing soil, protecting water supplies, and providing habitat for wildlife. Christmas trees are grown on and utilize soil that does not support other crops, therefore helping to preserve green spaces that would otherwise be wasted.
Real Christmas trees are also renewable and recyclable. To ensure a constant supply, Christmas Tree growers plant one to three new seedlings for every tree they harvest. Meanwhile, artificial trees are a petroleum-based product. The average family will use an artificial tree for only six to nine years before throwing it away, where it will remain in a landfill for centuries after disposal. Real Christmas trees are biodegradable and easily reused or recycled for mulch and other purposes.
As I review each reason for the Christmas tree shortage this year I notice risks to the health of the public and society, the environment and habitats, and wildlife and plants. This looks familiar. This looks like a very timely example of how, once again, One Health is relevant to our everyday lives and actions. Once one element of the triad is suffering, every other element of the triad is affected one way or another.
If you are someone in the Christmas tree market this year, I hope this information provides some justification as to why it may have been a bit more difficult and strange than in previous years. Otherwise, I’d like to wish everyone a safe, healthy, and happy Holiday Season!
