OSU Extension: Christmas Tree Farms expect strong demand and steady sales

The questions have become a tradition for real Christmas tree growers: How are sales? How are supplies? What about this crazy weather? Are prices going up? Will you run out of trees?

The answers rarely change: Looking good … Varies by region, but strong overall … Crazy for sure, but isolated and the industry is stronger than any one event … The answers don’t change much because the real Christmas tree industry is decentralized, with major wholesale growers spanning various regions of the country and because the seven to 12-year growth span required to bring a tree to market means supply can be adjusted by leaving trees in the ground a little longer or harvesting them a littler earlier — whatever a particular season dictates.

But rather than leave the outlook to tradition, guess work, or those without a front-row seat, the Real Christmas Tree Board surveyed 55 wholesale growers of real Christmas trees across the U.S. last month. Combined, the respondents supply an estimated two-thirds of the country’s real Christmas tree market. When paired with the Board’s annual consumer survey, it provides the most accurate forecast of the season possible.

Bottom line: 2022 will look a lot like 2021

“The real Christmas tree industry met demand last year and it will meet demand this year,” said Marsha Gray, Executive Director of the Real Christmas Tree Board. “This is essentially a year without surprises.”

“Our annual consumer survey showed that 86% of real Christmas tree buyers said they had no problems finding a place nearby to buy their tree last year,” said Gray. “And 87% told us they found the tree they wanted at the first place they looked.”

“We expect this year to be no different,” she said. “The grower survey tells us demand is healthy. Retailers see steady consumer interest in real Christmas trees and right now supply is pretty well matched to that interest. The majority – 67% of the wholesalers we talked to – said they expect to sell all the trees they plan to harvest this year. In terms of volume, more than half – 55% – said they expect to sell about the same amount of real Christmas trees as they did last year. The balance was divided: Some expect to sell more, some less.”

Many of the Christmas tree growers agrees input costs are up for everyone. All respondents estimate their input costs have increased compared to last year. The most frequently cited range of increase was 11% to 15% (36% of respondents), but more than a quarter (27%) put it even higher, at 16% to 20% compared to last year’s input costs. Another quarter (25%) said such costs have gone up as much as 10% year-over-year. And 10% of respondents put it higher still, with their year-over-year estimated increase coming in at more than 21%. The majority of growers (71%) cited a likely wholesale price increase of 5% to 15% compared to last year.

There are no plot twists in the real Christmas tree story this year, Just the steady hand of professional growers bringing joy to consumers. While our grower survey tells us wholesale prices are likely to be a bit higher for real Christmas trees this year, our consumer survey tells us people expected as much. The good news is fans of real Christmas trees say they believe the trees are worth the price and they are willing to pay more this year if necessary to get one – and that’s not a surprise either.

Source: RealChristmasTreeBoard.com

Tips for Choosing the Perfect Tree on the Tree Farm

Remember, the Christmas trees purchased from local Christmas tree farms are as fresh as a Christmas tree can ever be.

EVALUATE YOUR NEEDS BEFORE DEPARTING FOR THE FARM

Measure the ceiling height in the room where the tree will be displayed. The trees in the field look small when the sky is the ceiling. Don’t overbuy.

Measure the width of the area of the room where the tree will be displayed. Most trees on tree farms are trimmed to an 80% taper. So a tree that’s 10′ tall will be 8′ wide at the bottom. A tree that will fit in the room vertically may be entirely too big horizontally.

What decorating theme will be used? Some species have more open foliage, stiffer branches or longer needles. Research the characteristics of the different species on the NCTA website www.realchristmastrees.org, then find a farm near you that has the species you are looking for.

WHAT YOU SHOULD EXPECT WHEN YOU ARRIVE AT THE FARM

Go to the farm prepared for a day in the country. Wear comfortable shoes and old clothes. Bring rain gear if the weather is threatening. The “cutter downers” and the “loader uppers” should also have gloves. DON’T FORGET THE CAMERA. It’s best to leave “Rover” at home (many farms will prohibit pets). But, if a pet is allowed and must come along; keep him on a leash at all times. Please don’t let him “mark” other people’s trees.

Saws are usually provided by the farm operator. Check ahead of time.

Some farms measure and price their trees individually, others sell them by the foot. Ask about the pricing policy before heading out in the field.

Head out to the field and select the tree that fits your predetermined needs. Check the trunk to be sure that it is sufficiently straight. Keep in mind that pines will usually have, at least, some crook in their trunks. Also check that the tree has a sufficiently long handle to accommodate your stand.

In the fall of the year ALL conifers drop, or shed, a certain portion of their oldest needles. This is a normal part of the life cycle of the tree. This phenomena occurs because the tree is preparing itself for winter. Most farms provide shaking, or blowing, services so that you will depart with a perfectly clean tree.

10 “QUICK” TIPS ON SELECTING A TREE

Be sure you know what size (height and width) you need before heading to the retail lot.

If you want the same species you know or have always used, great. If you want to try a different species, browse the NCTA website www.realchristmastrees.org to become familiar with the species popular in your area before heading to the retail lot.

Go to a retail lot that is well-lit and stores trees in a shaded area.

Often, a tree obtained soon after its arrival on the retail lot will be very fresh because it was cut recently. Consumers should ask the retailer when he/she gets the trees: are they delivered once at the beginning of the season, or does he/she obtain several shipments during the season.

Do a freshness test on the trees. Green needles on fresh trees break crisply when bent sharply with the fingers — much like a fresh carrot.

Pines have different indicators because of the fibrous nature of their needles compared to firs. The needles on fresh pines do NOT break, unless they are very dry.

Look for other indicators of dryness or deterioration: excessive needle loss, discolored foliage, musty odor, needle pliability, and wrinkled bark. A good rule-of-thumb is, when in doubt about the freshness of a tree, select another one. If none of the trees on the lot look fresh, go to another lot.

Some species last longer and remain fresh longer than others in different climates. Ask your retailer which tree performs best in your climate.

Ask the retailer about recycling Christmas Trees in your community.

Involve the whole family in the selecting and plan fun things for everyone to do during the trip.

To find a real tree location for your family to enjoy check out the Ohio Christmas Tree Growers Association at https://ohiochristmastree.org/

Source: Ohio Christmas Tree Growers Association

This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Christmas Tree Farms expect strong demand and steady sales