Christmas trees will be more expensive this holiday season

[Sherman A1]

WASHINGTON (TND) — One of the symbols of the holiday season, Christmas trees, are more expensive this year.

Prices for both real and fake trees are expected to climb. Shoppers will likely pay roughly 5-10% more for a real tree compared to last year, according to a spokesperson for the National Christmas Tree Association who spoke with The New York Times.

The American Christmas Tree Association, a trade association for manufacturers of fake trees, is advising consumers to buy their trees early. That association estimates the average price for a fake tree is $104 this year, compared to $78 for a live tree.

Shoppers, meanwhile, are facing higher prices and a limited selection of trees from some growers.

https://krcgtv.com/news/nation-world/christmas-trees-will-be-more-expensive-this-holiday-season

[Sympthsical]

1. I had no idea trees were so expensive

Was at a farmer's market/Christmas tree lot yesterday, and couldn't believe the prices. $80 for relatively small trees (maybe 5-6 feet at best). Afterwards, we went to Costco where they had these artificial trees with built-in LEDs for $400-$850 depending on height. Whut? I get they're an investment, but still.

We have an artificial tree stored in the garage that was given to us last year by partner's parents. We're not even putting it up, because we adopted two kittens this year. As I write this, I'm feeling very justified. Received these ornaments with sleigh bells on them at a holiday party over the weekend, left them on the counter when we got home, and they are now being dribbled all over the house by said monsters at all of the decibels (decibells?).

Bought a $20 wreath, wove some lights through it, slapped it above the mantle, and called it a day.

[Sherman A1]

3. We picked ours up at Michaels a few years ago

and it continues to soldier on for us. If it was up to me, the tree would be the Charlie Brown tree that I can set up in a few minutes and be done with it. The Mrs. prefers to decorate, so I do the tree set up and let her have at it. This year step daughter will be here, so the decorations are up to them. I just move stuff where it is needed.

[Sympthsical]

4. Reminds me of my parents growing up

We had a crawl space with a thousand boxes of Christmas decorations. It was my dad's job to crouch and crawl and let loose with a string of expletives that was very edifying for a young child to hear emanating from a dark hole hidden in the back of a closet. Then my mom was responsible for actually bothering about the actual decorating.

We also attempted stockings this year, but those are currently scattered across the living room floor.

[brooklynite]

7. $160 for a 9 ft tree from Vermont...

...Worth the premium, to get a local Vermont farm tree rather than something from a wholesaler shipping in from Oregon.

[WHITT]

2. Obviously

the cost of sunshine and rain has skyrocketed.

[Botany]

5. Want to buy one cheaper? Wait until you have less then 2 weeks to go to Christmas.

On or after 12/13 the prices will drop

on or after 12/18 the price will drop some more

on or after 12/20 the prices will really go down.

Back in the day I sold and or handled a shit load of trees.

Fraser or Doug Firs are the best. If the Xmas tree lot hasn't done it put a fresh cut @ the base before you put
it into the stand. Bounce the tree on its trunk outside and you will get rid most of the extra needle / dirt.

Do not buy the "tree life" products to put into the water. Pretty much useless. A couple of aspirin helps LITTLE.

BTW the supply of trees is just fine.

[Taylor Picker]

10. I was Frasier Fir shopping in southern Indiana this weekend.

I heard a staff member at a local greenhouse tell another customer "we ordered 1,000 trees and got 300." They had maybe 5 or 6 large but awful-looking Frasiers. I'm not posting this to argue your "supply is fine" point, BTW. This is just one anecdote and may well be an aberration.

Another stop was at a local tree farm that imports their Frasier Firs. All they had left were short and scraggly.... all branch, no needle for the top third. The owner told me the growers were having issues producing quality trees. Again, not necessarily a supply issue. One has to go to this tree farm on Black Friday to snag a taller, fuller Frasier Fir.

I prefer to give my business to one of these local establishments, but Lowe's was the only place in town that had some decent Frasier Firs. Not as tall or as full as I wanted, but it'll suffice.

[Demsrule86]

6. My daughter got a huge fake tree as she has high ceilings for less than 100 ...depends where

you live...the shortages and higher prices, I don't see them in the Cleveland area of Ohio.

[Generic Other]

8. West coast trees got fried by heat

Too many 100+ days and no rain.

[Cracklin Charlie]

9. The Boy Scout tree lot here didn't have any trees to sell yesterday.

I’ve never seen that happen this early in December.

We got a live Norfolk pine this year. Thing has grown six inches taller since thanksgiving.

[Freethinker65]

11. Decorate an outdoor tree you can see from window instead? Hang some lights up inside around windows?

We trash picked a fake tree ten years ago from a neighbor down the way that was downsizing. Used it to full height a few years, then used just the top section as a mini tree a few times. Finally tried no inside tree, and it was so nice to be able to enjoy the season without moving furniture around for a tree that would be up for three or four weeks. We still displayed our nicer ornaments around the house, hung up Christmas stockings, etc. Really didn't miss the tree. Bought a balsam candle for scent.