By James Rickman, SVS
Last year, 28.6 million real Christmas trees were sold in the United States at an average price of $40.50, according to the National Christmas Tree Association (NCTA, 2009). Americans also bought 9.3 million fake trees at an average price of $68. About 80% of all fake trees sold are manufactured in China, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. This year market data shows slight volume dips but consistent pricing as families look to reduce holiday spending habits during economic recovery.
Shop Early for a Christmas Tree!The weekend after Thanksgiving is traditionally when most Christmas tree shopping occurs. But you should really shop for a Christmas tree earlier as it will pay off with less competition for higher quality Christmas tree selections and a fresher holiday tree. You should consider mid-November a time to plan and follow through on your Christmas tree purchase.
Shop Early for a Christmas Tree!The weekend after Thanksgiving is traditionally when most Christmas tree shopping occurs. But you should really shop for a Christmas tree earlier as it will pay off with less competition for higher quality Christmas tree selections and a fresher holiday tree. You should consider mid-November a time to plan and follow through on your Christmas tree purchase.
Visit online the Christmas Tree Farm Network website to locate a local grower near you, nationwide. http://www.christmas-tree.com/real/index.html
Visit online the winning tree picked for the President of the United States in the White House display; a beautiful Douglas-fir from Shepherdstown, West Virginia is the official White House Christmas Tree, 2009. http://www.thenationaltree.org/
Remember, every year is different when it comes to Christmas tree availability. Some years have less shopping days between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Tree sellers will be busy over a shorter period of time and you will not have as many days to shop for a Christmas tree.
Natural disruptions (insects, disease, fire, drought or ice) can cause regional Christmas tree shortages which can make certain Christmas tree species hard to find. In any event, buyers need to plan and purchase early to pick from the best holiday trees on the lot.
Buying Christmas Trees Online: You can now shop for and buy a Christmas tree online with only a few key strokes - and 300,000 people shop this way every year. Buying Christmas trees directly from a quality Christmas tree grower will save valuable holiday time plus you will avoid a cold, overcrowded holiday tree lot only to find poor quality Christmas trees. It is especially handy to order on-line for someone who has limited funds in the down economy. A special Christmas treat for even the healthy would be seeing a delivery truck delivering their own fresh tree for Christmas (make sure you know the size and varieties they like). Note online the selected five of the most popular internet Christmas tree dealers selling fresh from the farm.
Possible Christmas Tree Selections: Christmas tree growers offer an awesome selection of Christmas tree species with excellent aromatic varieties that retain their needles through the entire season. Below are the four (4) most popular species of Christmas trees commercially grown and sold in large quantities in North America including;
Voted #1 - Fraser Fir - Fraser fir is a native southern fir and very similar to Balsam fir. Some say it is a southern extension of the Balsam fir species and naturally grows at elevations above 5,000 feet. This fir has dark green needles, 1/2 to 1 inch long and ships well. The tree has excellent needle retention along with a nice scent. Fraser fir was named for Scot botanist John Fraser who explored the southern Appalachians in the late 1700's.
Remember, every year is different when it comes to Christmas tree availability. Some years have less shopping days between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Tree sellers will be busy over a shorter period of time and you will not have as many days to shop for a Christmas tree.
Natural disruptions (insects, disease, fire, drought or ice) can cause regional Christmas tree shortages which can make certain Christmas tree species hard to find. In any event, buyers need to plan and purchase early to pick from the best holiday trees on the lot.
Buying Christmas Trees Online: You can now shop for and buy a Christmas tree online with only a few key strokes - and 300,000 people shop this way every year. Buying Christmas trees directly from a quality Christmas tree grower will save valuable holiday time plus you will avoid a cold, overcrowded holiday tree lot only to find poor quality Christmas trees. It is especially handy to order on-line for someone who has limited funds in the down economy. A special Christmas treat for even the healthy would be seeing a delivery truck delivering their own fresh tree for Christmas (make sure you know the size and varieties they like). Note online the selected five of the most popular internet Christmas tree dealers selling fresh from the farm.
Possible Christmas Tree Selections: Christmas tree growers offer an awesome selection of Christmas tree species with excellent aromatic varieties that retain their needles through the entire season. Below are the four (4) most popular species of Christmas trees commercially grown and sold in large quantities in North America including;
Voted #1 - Fraser Fir - Fraser fir is a native southern fir and very similar to Balsam fir. Some say it is a southern extension of the Balsam fir species and naturally grows at elevations above 5,000 feet. This fir has dark green needles, 1/2 to 1 inch long and ships well. The tree has excellent needle retention along with a nice scent. Fraser fir was named for Scot botanist John Fraser who explored the southern Appalachians in the late 1700's.
Voted #2 - Douglas Fir - Douglas Fir is not a true fir but actually has its own unique classification. Unlike true firs the cones on Douglas fir hang downward. Douglas fir grows cone-shaped naturally, has 1 to 1-1/2 inch needles that are persistant and has a sweet scent when crushed. The Doug fir tree is shipped to and found in nearly every tree lot in the Unites States. The tree was named after David Douglas who studied the tree in the 1800's.
Voted #3 - Balsam Fir - Balsam fir is a beautiful pyramidal tree with short, flat, long-lasting, aromatic needles. Balsam fir and Fraser fir have many similar characteristics and some botanists consider them extensions of the same species. Their geographic ranges do not overlap and the Balsam fir has to have cold winters and cool summers. Balsam fir has a nice, dark green color and very fragrant. The tree was named for the balsam or resin found in blisters on bark and which was used to treat wounds in Civil War.
Voted #4 - Colorado Blue Spruce - The Colorado Blue Spruce is most familiar to people as an ornamental landscape tree. The tree has dark green to powdery blue needles, 1 to 3 inches long and a pyramidal form when young. Colorado blue spruce is very often sold "living" and with an entire root ball - to be planted after the holidays. The spruce was chosen in 1978 and planted as the official living White House Lawn Christmas tree. The young tree is pleasingly symmetrical, is best among species for needle retention and the state tree of both Utah & Colorado.
Make it fun online by taking this Christmas tree quiz to find out how holiday tree savvy you are: Christmas Tree Quiz. Don't worry about your score. Take this quiz for the learning experience. Also, learn more about the first real tree to display electric bulbs instead of burning candles.
About Author
Mr. Rickman is a respected analyst, innovative expert in business content and web development services with over 30-years experience, published worldwide. He is also the author of several books including Eight Billion People. Mr. Rickman holds advanced business and technical degrees from Boston University. For information visit: http://www.sustainablevirtualbiz.com/ or call (503) 621-4953.
