With the most wonderful time of the year around the corner, it may be worth it to consider buying a real tree to hide presents under this year.
With tree supply steady, experts told "Good Morning America" that a real Christmas tree, as opposed to an artificial tree, may be the smartest financial option this year.
According to a survey conducted by the Real Christmas Tree Board, a promotion and research organization funded by North American Christmas tree growers, 84% of wholesale growers said they do not plan to raise wholesale prices for the upcoming season. Some growers said they plan to lower prices.
"Growers are prepared, supply is strong, and most are holding wholesale prices steady this year. This reflects the consistency of the real Christmas tree industry and the commitment of growers to ensuring that there’s a real Christmas tree for everyone who wants one," Marsha Gray, executive director of the Real Christmas Tree Board, said in a statement in September, when the survey results were first released.
Speaking with "GMA" this week, Gray explained, "When you have the large supply that you have right now, you need to get the trees harvested and sold. You can't leave them in the ground forever."
Foreign trade circumstances may also make real Christmas trees a more affordable option this holiday season.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 88% of artificial Christmas trees, ornaments and decorations came from China in 2023. Tariffs on Chinese imports could raise overall Christmas decor prices by 10% to 20%, according to The American Christmas Tree Association, meaning a $299 tree in 2024 could reach $359 in 2025.
"Anyone who wants to get a beautiful, real, freshly grown Christmas tree, they'll be able to find it, not just where we are in the Northeast, but all across the country," said Jamie Jones, a farmer at Jones Family Farms in Connecticut.
The Real Christmas Tree Board offered a few tips for consumers looking to buy a real tree this year. The organization advises asking the retailer to make a new cut on the trunk, put the tree in water as soon as its home, water twice a day at first, before moving to once a day, and avoid heat and direct sunlight on the tree.
