The 8-foot Fraser Fir from Laurel Springs, North Carolina, sold for $145 on a church lawn in Lakeland, Florida, is considered the pinnacle in pine perfection among the 25 million fresh-cut Christmas trees Americans will purchase this year. Mason Hayes, 14, and his brother, Jackson, 11, expertly selected this tree after an hour of searching through Booger Mountain’s trees at Ardella Baptist Church. Amy Hayes, their mother, trusted their judgment in finding the perfect tree that exudes Christmas charm and believes it is worth the $145 price tag.
According to the National Christmas Tree Association (NCTA), the Christmas tree market in 2024 is expected to reach $1.38 billion from the sale of 25-30 million trees. The industry is also projected to exceed $5.6 billion when including artificial trees, wreaths, lighting, and other accessories. North Carolina is a significant player in Christmas tree production, second only to Oregon, with Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Washington following suit.
Despite challenges such as weather-related issues affecting tree growth in various regions, the industry is prepared for a successful season. The Real Christmas Tree Board conducts surveys to forecast supply, with growers showing optimism about the quality and pricing of trees. However, the industry may face disruptions from tariffs on imported goods and corporate pressures, which could impact prices in the future. The impact of potential tariffs on Christmas tree prices remains uncertain, with concerns about how it may affect growers, particularly those from Canada, a key supplier of trees to the United States. “We will all be observing to see what unfolds,” she stated.
Rocco Malanga, owner of Cedar Grove Christmas Trees, a tree wholesale distributor and retailer in South Florida, expressed strong support for President Trump’s proposal to transition to a tariff-based economic system. He believes this change will have a positive impact on the Christmas tree industry and various other sectors. Malanga pointed out that Canadian imports have been able to undercut U.S.-grown trees in price due to the weaker Canadian dollar. He believes that implementing a tariff on imported Christmas trees would level the playing field, benefiting American growers and local businesses.
Cedar Grove Christmas Trees has established relationships with growers in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. Malanga predicts that these growers, who have been facing challenging times, would benefit from Trump’s tariffs. However, he acknowledges that independent, family-owned growers may require more than just tariffs to thrive in a market dominated by corporations.
In 2002, there were 28,000 tree farms in the United States, but by 2017, this number had decreased to about 20,000. Currently, approximately 15,000 farms produce commercial Christmas trees. The decline in tree farms has also impacted nonprofits and community organizations that used to sell trees as fundraisers, reducing opportunities for entrepreneurs to earn extra income during the holiday season.
The trend in the industry is shifting towards “choose-and-cut” farms, where consumers can pick their own trees from the fields. This approach is becoming more popular and changing the way Christmas trees are retailed. The industry is evolving to offer a more experiential and destination-based shopping experience for customers.
At Booger Mountain, manager Kris Sherrouse noted the increasing presence of big box retailers in the Christmas tree market, leading to fewer small-scale growers. This consolidation could result in reduced choice, quality, and eventually, higher prices for consumers. Sherrouse emphasized the importance of maintaining high-quality products, good service, and competitive prices to sustain their business model.
Booger Mountain offers a variety of tree sizes at competitive prices and ensures a seamless process for customers, from cutting the tree to transportation. Despite challenges in the industry, Sherrouse remains committed to providing a positive experience for families and children during the holiday season.
The article concludes with a note that Epoch Times reporter Andrew Moran contributed to the story. Please rewrite the following sentence to make it sound more clear and concise:
“The company is currently in the process of implementing new strategies to improve overall efficiency and productivity.” Please rewrite this sentence.
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