America Could Run Out Of Christmas Trees This Year

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America Could Run Out Of Christmas Trees This Year

While science is telling us that decorating for the holidays early will make you happier, there's another reason to get your Christmas tree up sooner, rather than later.

This year the United States will be facing a tree shortage, according to the National Christmas Tree Association. This shortage could drive up prices for consumers due to the decreased supply.

Christmas trees can take nearly ten years to reach their full height of seven to eight feet, so now ten years after the Great Recession, the country is feeling the pain of the economic downturn.

"In those years we were in a recession. Tree sales were down, prices were down, and we weren't planting as many trees," Doug Hundley of the NCTA said.

The economic downturn forced tree farmers to limit their crops to save money during a time of decreased demand.

So how can you make sure you will get a tree this year?

Hundley indicated that early shoppers should face no issues with availability and variety of trees, but they should expect that prices will be higher because of the limited stock. We could see an increase in price anywhere between five and ten percent across the nation.

If you're going to shop early, Hundley recommends Fraser firs because they can last for a month or more indoors if cared for properly.

He still believes that those who want a tree should be able to find one, it just may mean more preparation than in the past. Calling around to your usual vendor to check supply before you go shopping can save you time and disappointment.

"We're all for keeping people in real trees," he said, "and we honestly have all the confidence in the world that everybody that wants a real tree will be able to find one."

If you are price conscious, Hundley adds that many farms will lower their prices right before Christmas to help clear out their lots, so waiting until the last weeks of December could save you some money on your tree.

"You just can't replace a real tree," Kathy Schultz said.

Source: People / lohud. / Tampa Bay Times