Tree shortage could spoil great American Christmas

Americans are facing a Christmas tree shortage, in a lingering effect from the financial crisis a decade ago. Some tree growers went out of business as the economy buckled in 2008. Because trees take seven to 10 years to reach an acceptable size for buyers, the effect is only now being felt. Additional factors contributing to soaring prices included bad weather,, a shortage of migrant workers to cut them, and increased red tape for trucking companies.