Christmas tree shortage leads to price hikes

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This article was published 25/11/2023 (717 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

As the holidays approach and Brandon residents gear up for Christmas festivities, retailers and their customers are grappling with fewer Christmas trees on the market and higher prices compared to last season. And retailers say it’s a trend that has been going on for years.

For instance, a PC Christmas Tree at Real Canadian Superstore saw a $12 increase based on customer reports, with the same size that cost $45 last year now selling for $57. For some customers, like Mary Ojo, the price escalation is having an impact on their holiday budget.

The Green Spot Home and Garden owner Bernie Whetter told the Sun that Christmas tree prices have seen a marked increase from last year. He has also seen a 10 per cent drop in the number of trees compared to 2022.

“The quality we’re getting this year is better than last year,” Whetter said. “The price has increased by $5 to $20, with some of the taller trees considerably more expensive this year.”

Whetter attributed this relative scarcity and price surge to decreased production in Quebec, where the trees come from, causing transportation costs to rise. Due to the shortage, producers can charge more.

Alternative Landscaping co-owner Karin Griffin said the trend of diminishing Christmas tree stocks has impacted the industry for about five years.

She said there has been a noticeable decline in availability, which has been a pressing concern for suppliers and retailers, resulting in a steady decline in trees available for consumers.

This reduced supply, she said, has led to prices nearly doubling during the last five years.

Griffin blames the drop in supply on a combination of environmental factors, particularly drought and forest fires.

“These natural occurrences have severely impacted the growth and cultivation of Christmas trees,” she said. “The drought conditions have negatively affected the growth rates and health of trees, leading to reduced yields and smaller-sized trees. Additionally, forest fires have caused significant damage to tree farms, resulting in a reduced overall supply.”

At stores like Canadian Tire, Real Canadian Superstore, and Home Depot, prices for different-sized trees vary. For instance, a balsam fir measuring 6-8 feet at Canadian Tire is currently priced at $74.97, down by 16 per cent from its original $89.99 due to lower demand.

Home Depot offers a 6-8 ft. Fraser Fir Cross Christmas Tree for $84.98, a 6-7 ft. Nordman Christmas Tree for $49.98, and an 8-9 ft. Fraser Fir Cross Christmas Tree for $74.98.

Amid the challenges of escalating prices and dwindling stocks, there are alternative avenues for people seeking budget-friendly options.

Brandon U-Cut Christmas Trees offers Scots pine trees at $80 for any size, allowing customers to cut down their own trees.

The Manitoba government also offers an alternative through Christmas tree permits, enabling residents to access trees from private farms or Crown land at a nominal cost.

Residents can apply for a Christmas tree permit through Manitoba e-licensing, available online, or by contacting the e-licensing call centre at 1-877-880-1203. These permits can also be obtained at regional and district offices.

The permit, priced at a nominal fee of $9.75, grants individuals the opportunity to cut down one coniferous Christmas tree not exceeding three metres in height from designated areas listed on the permit.

However, the permit has certain conditions attached: the tree cutting must be confined to the specified area, the tree cannot be sold or bartered, the permit must be held by the person in possession of the tree and produced for inspection upon request by a Conservation officer, and the permit expires on the last day of December following the date of issue.

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