Local tree prices stay stable in national market

By Scott Nicholson

While reports are mixed nationwide on Christmas tree prices, wholesale and local retail prices are stable, according to those in the industry.

The Associated Press reported tree prices were down because growers had planted too many seedlings several years ago, though it usually takes six to nine years for a tree to reach market size. That story originated in Oregon, the only state that produces more Christmas trees than North Carolina.

Another Associated Press report said trees were $5 to $10 higher this year because of increased fuel prices, though gasoline is not much higher now than it was this time last year. That story, from the Southwest, quoted consumers as paying $65 to $75 for their Fraser fir trees at an average market size of seven to eight feet.

However, Linda Gragg, director of the Boone-based North Carolina Christmas Tree Association, disagrees with reports of higher prices. “I’m not hearing that at all,” she said. “Trucking expenses have gone up, but there’s not much difference. I’ve talked with about eight wholesalers.”

Local grower Harry Yates is the state’s representative on the National Christmas Tree Association board. He estimates he shipped about 18,000 wholesale trees  and said wholesale prices are the same as last year. Though fuel prices did rise shortly before harvest, they had dropped by the time growers contracted for deliveries.

Yates said though retail prices vary depending on the area, a six-to-seven-foot tree sells between $40 and $50 and a seven-to-eight-foot tree sells for $50 to $60. Yates said most wholesalers pay a price for transportation by tractor trailers, then an additional fuel surcharge is added. The fuel surcharge is based on a federal formula released each Monday. Yates said fuel prices came down during the shipping period, which runs from mid-November to early December.

Both Yates and Gragg agreed the market for larger trees is growing. Prices did increase slightly for nine-to-ten-foot trees. “We didn’t have as many taller trees for sale,” Gragg said. “We’re hoping growers will have more next year as demand increases. More people are building houses with higher ceilings and want the tall trees.”

Yates said demand for local trees was slightly higher this year, and said all the wholesalers he knew had sold out their supply. He said that was a change from two years ago, when orders were slow.

Choose-and-cut prices and demand were also strong this year, one of the fastest-growing segments of the industry. Doug Clawson, a local grower and board member of the Watauga Nurserymen’s Association, said his choose-and-cut prices went up for seven-to-eight-foot trees, selling between $45 and $50. He said there was a shortage of trees over 10 feet, saying all growers had run out of those size trees. “We didn’t know the demand would be that great,” Clawson said. “The large trees are selling faster than we can grow them.”

Clawson plans to keep his farm open until Dec. 24. “I’ve already had a couple of calls from people coming up the day before Christmas,” he said.

Local growers also participated in an effort to supply trees to families of soldiers on active duty in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

North Carolina growers sent 569 trees to Ft. Bragg in Fayetteville. Nationwide, growers have donated 4,000 trees.

• Scott Nicholson may be contacted

at nicholson@wataugademocrat.com.