Inflation Drives Cost of Christmas Trees Expected to have 20% Increase Compared to Last Year’s Prices

Due to inflation, purchasing a Christmas tree may be more expensive this year. The anticipated increase will be about 20% over prices from the previous year.

The cost of growing Christmas trees increased by almost 20% from the previous year, according to a study released in September by the Real Christmas Tree Board, an association that represents all natural Christmas trees sold in the US.

The study, which is a first for the board, was done to determine how the cost of wholesale and production for the decorative item was affected by inflation.

Marsha Gray, the executive director of the Real Christmas Tree Board, said one of the main reasons for the rising costs had been the price of fuel, labor, and fertilizer.

The study, published on the Real Christmas Tree Board website, found that the wholesale prices of 71% of growers are anticipated to increase by as much as 15%.

This means that consumers will pay more for the product at the store.

Inflation Affecting the Agricultural Community

Gray said whether it's a food item or a Christmas tree, the price of the product will ultimately change if the agricultural community is encountering higher costs.

According to Gray, it is challenging to determine what proportion of the wholesale rate will be passed on to customers because every store has varying inventory and financial objectives.

The executive director stated that each shop determines the retail price of a tree, not the Real Christmas Tree Board.

Gray advises customers to do their research on the kind of tree they want before going to the store to save money this holiday season.

Scouting for Trees on a Budget

Gray recommends that shoppers should first do a little research on the stores they intend to visit because almost all of them have websites. This way, shoppers will be able to see and compare prices, price points, or the various species that are offered.

Due to their popularity, some tree species, such as the noble fir and Fraser fir, can cost more than a Douglas fir tree.

Gray also wants customers to remember that a tree's height and species will affect its overall cost, so choosing a shorter or more widely available species can help reduce the price.

Gray also wants customers to keep in mind that buying a tall tree isn't always the best choice because the tree's height will increase once it is in a stand.

Gray advised against purchasing trees that are larger than what is required. For instance, there are also 6.5-foot trees, so perhaps a 7-foot tree is not absolutely necessary.

She added that since fake trees can be reused, buying them might be a good option for some families seeking long-term financial savings, KTLA75 reports.

Sustainable Christmas Trees

One of the most vital resources on earth is trees. They have many advantages for wildlife and ecosystems and contribute to the fight against climate change.

Maybe this explains why some people have mixed feelings about using real Christmas trees.

The majority of Christmas trees, according to Anne Mari Cobb of the Soil Association Forestry, are cultivated as horticultural crops rather than being harvested from forests that have already existed. It implies that selecting a real tree for commemorating the holiday season has no negative effects on habitat loss and deforestation, Sustainably Chic reports.