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Sunburned Christmas trees will create a new mix for 2021
After several years of tight supplies and drought this season, Christmas tree growers are making plans now on how to provide real trees for the holiday.
Executive director of the Christmas Tree Promotion Broad Marsha Gray tells Brownfield during June, a large production region in Oregon experienced record hot temperatures for several days.
“That was really difficult for those full, harvestable trees, not just the small ones,” she says.
As a result, some varieties took on a sunburn appearance turning needles red and Gray says while they can be trimmed for future years, not all will be salable.
“We think we’re going to have plenty,” she says. “They do also have the ability to harvest trees that are earmarked for next year,” she says.
Oregon is the nation’s leader in Christmas tree production, followed by North Carolina, and Michigan and the Upper Great Lakes. Gray says most likely consumers could find different varieties this year than usual as trees will be redirected where needed to fill demand.
Real Christmas trees are not facing import delays, but Grey says trucking shortages and the challenging growing season might lead to somewhat higher prices.
