Oh Christmas Tree: Individuals encouraged to buy live Christmas trees early this year
With this year’s Thanksgiving feast in the rearview, many have already turned their attention to the next big holiday of the year, and as individuals begin to deck the halls with boughs of holly, they may want to consider buying their holiday centerpiece – the ever-popular Christmas tree – early this year.
Although the majority of Americans prefer pre-lit artificial trees in an age of easy convenience, data shows there is still strong demand for live Christmas trees.
But, while many growers fared relatively well following several consecutive seasons of drought, Texas A&M University Western Gulf Tree Improvement Program Director Dr. Fred Raley said consumers should expect higher prices and a limited selection of pre-cut live Christmas trees this year.
“Demand is up regardless of whether the previous seasons impacted supplies or supplies held steady, so there is a potential for price increases and limited selection,” Raley says in Nov. 27 Texas A&M AgriLife E-Newsletter. “If you want a live tree, my advice would be to get one early for the best selection.”
The Christmas tree industry
According to the American Christmas Tree Association (NCTA), 75 percent of U.S. households – or 94 million homes – displayed a Christmas tree in 2022, and in a 2023 consumer survey, 94 percent of respondents planned to put up a Christmas tree the following holiday season.
Although statistics show more and more households prefer artificial trees, NCTA notes demand for live trees is still strong.
“Many families prefer a real farm-grown Christmas tree over an artificial tree made from PVC plastic in a factory in China,” NCTA states. “There are many reasons a real farm-grown Christmas tree is by far the best choice, including the family experience of selecting a tree and the wonderful scent of a real tree.”
“Real Christmas trees are grown on farms in the U.S. and Canada and are natural and fully recyclable – easily the best choice for the environment,” NCTA adds.
According to 2022 data published by the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center (AgMRC), Christmas trees are grown on more than 16,000 farms in all 50 states sweeping across more than 292,050 acres.
The top five tree producing states include Oregon, North Carolina, Michigan, Washington and Pennsylvania, and the best-selling species include Fraser fir, Douglas fir, Noble fir, Balsam fir and Scotch pine.
“Almost all trees require pruning management to attain the proper branch and fascicle – twig and needle – density and a proper cone-shaped Christmas tree shape,” AgMRC explains. “Plantation production is the best system for delivering the regularly scheduled pruning, water management and general care necessary to produce the highest-quality product.”
AgMRC further notes maturity for harvest is usually determined after trees reach six to seven feet in height, and once mature, trees are “baled” – tied or wrapped to protect branches and retain overall shape and quality during shipping
Wyoming tree permits
Live Christmas trees can be purchased at a wide variety of locations across the state of Wyoming, and individuals can locate live trees for sale near them using the NCTA’s Real Christmas Tree Locator at realchristmastrees.org.
Those looking for more of an authentic tree cutting experience in the Cowboy State can purchase a Christmas tree permit online at forestproducts.blm.gov or at a local Bureau of Land Management (BLM) field office for $7.50 to $10 per tree, depending on location, for a maximum of five trees per individual.
Wyoming Christmas tree permits are only valid for trees less than 15 feet tall with a diameter of less than eight inches and located on BLM lands.
Trees may not be harvested from wilderness areas, wilderness study areas, timber sale areas, campgrounds, boat access sites or on private lands.
BLM recommends cutting local species such as subalpine fir, Engelmann spruce, Douglas fir, ponderosa pine and lodgepole pine, which are often found growing in the understory of aspen stands.
“Christmas trees harvested from aspen stands and dense young stands will contribute to forest health and improve wildlife habitat,” BLM notes.
Tips for selecting a live tree
Whether purchasing a pre-cut tree or braving the Wyoming winter to cut their own, experts note there are a few things to consider when choosing a live tree this holiday season.
Before leaving the house to find the perfect tree, it is important to take note of ceiling height and space availability and drive a vehicle large enough to transport the tree.
Texas-based Tanglewood Christmas Tree Owner Jan Peery recommends selecting a perfectly imperfect tree with some character, including spots and holes.
“This is where that special ornament can be placed, versus having a full tree where ornaments can only hang from the tips,” Peery says in a Nov. 25 Farm Progress article written by Shelley Huguley.
From the time a tree is cut to when it is erected in its new home for the holiday season, the trunk will often seal with sap, which keeps it from drawing up water.
Once home, Peery encourages individuals to remove one to two inches from the bottom of the trunk and immerse in water as soon as possible. The tree must also be watered every day to keep it looking as healthy and vibrant as possible throughout the holiday season.
When the holiday season has come to an end, live trees can be recycled.
Peery suggests placing Christmas trees in bodies of water for fish habitat or chopped for mulch to use in flower beds.
Christmas trees can also be fed to sheep, goats, alpacas and chickens, as pine needles – in moderation – provide health benefits and a boost of extra nutrients like vitamin A and vitamin C for these barnyard browsers.
Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
