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National Christmas tree shortage affecting prices

Posted at 6:08 AM, Nov 21, 2019
and last updated 2019-11-21 07:08:14-05

SAND SPRINGS, Okla. — As we get closer to the holidays, families will start their annual trip to pick out Christmas trees.

However, a national Christmas tree shortage is already causing problems in other states.

So, there may be some issues getting the trees you want for the right price.

In Oklahoma, you won't have any issues finding a real tree, though you may pay a little more for it.

Almost 33 million real Christmas trees were purchased in 2018 according to the National Christmas Tree Association.

Tree farms like Pleasant Valley Farms in Sand Springs grow their own assortment of Christmas trees,

They have Virginia, White and Scotch pines, the most common Christmas tree in the US.

Owner Randy Owens said they try to keep their prices down, but if you purchase a tree they didn't grow, expect to pay a little more like at a big box store.

"Number one, you have the shipping, you have the cost of the tree, you have to unload it from the semi, put it in a building, do your cuts on it," Owens said. "Then you have to bring it back out and display them. Then when someone buys them you have to wrap them up again and put them on a car."

Owens said many farms in Oregon have started to transition from fir trees to hazelnut which has affected the supply and demand.

He said this will also add to the price hike.

Owens always plants extra trees just in case some are damaged, so there's always plenty to pick for families to pick from.

Pleasant Valley Farms will open again the day after Thanksgiving.

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