Local tree sales mixed

so far for area farmers
By Scott Nicholson
nicholson@wataugademocrat.com

While the choose-and-cut industry is generally seen as booming, the growth is not consistent among all local tree growers.

Megan Baker, a N.C. Cooperative Extension Service agent who works with tree growers, said reports of sales success have been mixed, with some farms selling record numbers of trees and others saying they are 35 to 40 trees behind last year’s pace.

“The previous weekend hurt because of the rain,” Baker said. “And the warm temperatures make it hard for people to get in the holiday mood.”

One trend that seemed to emerge this year is the customer base is shifting from the Charlotte area to include more tree buyers from eastern Tennessee, Winston-Salem and Raleigh. Baker said that was encouraging, since some marketing efforts were aimed at Tennessee. However, high gas prices continue to affect people’s travel and shopping plans.

Baker also noted that some retail lots were advertising low rates and bargains, which possibly reflected more competition among tree growers, especially with Christmas fast approaching. She also noted that there were no significant geographical reasons for the decline of some tree sales this year, despite reports of directional signs being removed in some areas of the county.

“Missing signs happen every year,” she said. “That’s not really abnormal.”

However, location could play a role in tree sales, as farms in more rural areas not only have to rely on directional signs, they also have to offer more incentive to entice travelers to visit their farms. “Farther out in the county, it takes more of a draw to get people 15 miles out of town when there are places to choose from close to Boone,” Baker said. “It’s hard to attribute reasons for some of the fall-off.”

Last year, there was a 10-percent jump in choose-and-cut tree sales in Watauga County, or about 13,000 trees total. Baker said since many farmers are busy with their businesses, it’s difficult to get an accurate assessment on how their year is faring. Typically, numbers are compiled in mid-January.

Baker said tree prices varied widely, with farms that added agritourism offerings not only gaining a competitive edge and overcoming potential geographic drawbacks, but also seeing premium prices for their trees. The typical choose-and-cut tree is six-to-eight-feet tall and nets between $7 and $8 a foot, though that can range as low as $6 and as high as $10.

“Every farm is different,” Baker said. “But we’ve seen an increase in agritourism and it’s a good marketing tool. Farms that offer hay rides, crafts, snacks and goodies are getting more people and getting more for their trees.”

Thursday, the House Agriculture Committee unanimously approved a resolution sponsored by Rep. Virginia Foxx (NC-5) that recognizes the contributions of the live Christmas tree industry to the United States economy. The measure will head to the House of Representatives for a full vote.

“Christmas trees have held an historic place in traditional American family values since 1850,” Foxx said in a statement. “Just as importantly, Christmas trees play a vital role in the North Carolina High Country’s economy by providing jobs and livelihoods for thousands of North Carolinians.”

Americans purchased $1.2 billion in real Christmas trees in 2006 and the industry employed more than 100,000 people. About 50 million Fraser fir Christmas trees are grown annually on more than 25,000 acres in the state, which has at least 1,600 different Christmas tree growers.

North Carolina is the top Christmas tree-producing state in retail value and ranks second in number of Christmas trees harvested each year.