How a Christmas tree shortage could impact your holiday and wallet
HOLLYWOOD, Calif. - It’s the most wonderful time of the year…to pick out a Christmas tree, because Christmas tree lot owners say there is a shortage and the trees are going quick!
On the corner of Highland and Franklin Avenues in Hollywood is Mr. Jingle’s Christmas Trees, one of nine locations nationwide, where Michael Pierce and his family are looking for the perfect pine.
“The trees kind of talk to you,” says Pierce. “It says, ‘pick me, pick me.’ They’re like children. They want homes!”
It takes seven to ten years to grow the average-size Christmas tree, so the past couple of years have had quite an impact on Mr. Jingle –Scott Sanchez.
“Back in 2008, a lot of farmers didn’t replant their farms during the recession and we’re now feeling the shortage,” says Sanchez.
Farmers’ prices have also skyrocketed and many are choosing to grow more lucrative crops, like cannabis plants. So demand for fresh trees is the highest Sanchez has seen in seven years.
“It’s wild,” says Sanchez. “On the weekends, we’ll do anywhere from 300 to 500 trees a day and it’s hard to get in the parking lot.”
The smallest tree on the lot is about two feet tall and cost $25. The tallest tree is 17 feet and goes for about $1,250. It takes a tree about 20 years to grow that tall.
Mr. Jingle sells five different types of trees, his favorite Noble, Grand, Douglas, Nordman and Fraser Fir from the East Coast. Most of the Christmas trees come from the Pacific Northwest and cost about 15% more this year.
“We’re really excited nonetheless to get a tree, no matter how we can get our hands on them,” says Nico Hronopoulos, Christmas tree shopping with his wife and son.
A lot more millennials are buying Christmas trees and about 40% get them delivered. “That’s not the same thing as it is coming actually to the Christmas patch or whatever it is,” says Hronopoulos.
The Pierce family finally found the “one” and strapped it to their sleigh…err car, determined to let the spirit of Christmas last as long as possible. “It’s the time of year where it’s more about love, coming together and giving. It’s a better feeling for everybody.”
Mr. Jingle says they usually sell out of Christmas trees nine feet and taller within the first couple weeks of December. Last year, they ran out of trees five days before Christmas so they encourage customers to come as early as possible. Many Christmas tree lot owners expect a Christmas tree shortage next year too and then think they’ll be alright.