Christmas tree shortage: ‘If you see something you like, buy it’

ALAMEDA, Calif. — Even Christmas trees aren’t immune to the pandemic-induced shortages and inflation plaguing the economy.

Extreme weather and supply chain disruptions have cut supplies of both real and artificial trees this season. American shoppers should expect fewer choices and to pay up to 30% more for both types of tree this Christmas, industry officials said.

“It’s a double whammy — weather and supply chain problems … ,” said Jami Warner, executive director of the American Christmas Tree Association. “Growers have been hard hit by floods, fires, smoke, drought, extreme weather conditions.”

Record-breaking heat and wildfires in late June took a heavy toll on Christmas tree farms in Oregon and Washington, two of the nation’s largest growers.

Warner could not say how many fewer trees there will be this year, but, because they take up to 10 years to grow, the crop loss will be felt for many seasons to come.

The shortage of truck drivers is making it harder and costlier to transport live trees from farms to stores and tree lots. Warner’s advice: “Shop early. If you see something you like, buy it.”

At Crystal River Christmas Trees, owner Dale Pine and his nephew Stacy Valenzuela struggled to get enough trees to sell at their tree lot. Many suppliers in Oregon lost trees in the triple-digit heat wave.

“It was looking pretty grim for a while,” Valenzuela said. “Every single day, you’re on the phone: ‘Hey, you got anything? If you do, send it my way.’ So, a lot of work to get these trees on the ground this year.”

Crystal River had to raise prices because the costs of trees, labor and truck delivery have all gone up, Valenzuela said.

Alameda resident Ian Steplowski came to the Crystal River lot to buy a Silvertip tree with his wife and two young kids the day after Thanksgiving.

“We’re having shortages of everything and, of course, it had to take Christmas trees,” Steplowski said.

Teri Schaffert heard about the shortage of real trees this year, so decided to buy an artificial tree for the first time. Almost a week before Thanksgiving, she went to the Burlington showroom of Balsam Hill, which primarily sells its artificial trees online.

“I came in early because I heard in the news that there’s not going to be enough fresh Christmas trees,” said Schaffert, who lives in nearby San Mateo. Her husband isn’t happy about the change. “What else can we do? I have to get ready for the future because I love Christmas. I love to decorate.”

But the artificial tree industry is struggling with its own supply issues as clogged ports and a lack of truckers delay shipments and raise costs, said Caroline Tuan, Balsam Hill’s chief operating officer. The company’s trees are about 20% more expensive this year and there is less variety available.