When you go in search of Christmas trees this year, you may find several with a liking to Charlie Brown’s, as growers and sellers are saying there’s a shortage.
The Canadian Christmas Tree Growers’ Association said they haven’t been able to keep up with the demand and it’s a problem that roots back to 2008.
Because of the previous recession, the demand for trees then was not as high and, therefore, less trees were planted, they explained.
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That demand has since nearly doubled from $53 million in 2008 to $100 million this year.
Growers hadn’t predicted the massive increase. And that crops up an issue, said the tree association’s executive director Shirley Brennan.
“It takes 10 years to grow a tree,” she said to CBC. “When the demand is up, we just can’t plant them fast enough.”
Brennan said the tree shortage is partially due to the recession. And then top that with abnormally warm and wet weather conditions causing damage to the trees planted in the years afterward. (Those weather conditions have also resulted in a potato shortage.)
Owner of Pine Meadows Tree Farms in Chilliwack, Tim Loewen, said it’s difficult to predict the market 10 years in advance.
“It takes such a long time to produce that it’s really hard to predict the market and to adapt to changes in the market so you just end up with this once in a while,” he said to CBC.
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Christmas Trees Shortage Not Just a B.C. Problem
“Fifteen years ago, we had too many trees available for the demand. In 2008 and 2009, we had the recession, which cut back on sales and made it worse,” Doug Hundley, a spokesperson for the National Christmas Tree Association, told CNN. “When tree growers can’t cut the trees, they don’t have the space to plant more.”
So what’s the association’s solution? Buy your trees now while you can. You could also get a fake one or maybe just accept that you may be celebrating a Charlie Brown Christmas this year.
At least you’ll be able to check out other tree lightings in the city. Check out the one in Surrey or the one at Shipyards Christmas Festival.
For more Vancouver news, check out our News section.
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