The 2018 Christmas tree shortage & what Brungot Farms is doing about it.

In 2002 there were an estimated 447,000 acres of Christmas trees in various growing stages across the United States. In 2012 that number declined to under 310,000 (Over a 30% Decline in tree inventory in just 10 short years!) To give you a better idea of how big of a decline that is, approximately 200 Million Christmas trees, about 9 years’ worth of sales!

But, what caused this large of a decline of Christmas tree farms?

Let’s start with how long a tree takes to grow before it can be put in your home and strung with lights. It takes 10-12 years to grow Seedling Christmas trees to the ideal height, (most people purchase a 7-8’ tree), so when you look at the 2008 financial crisis, we are just beginning to feel the effects of the Christmas tree shortage ten years later. This shortage of trees will not only affect the access to fresh and beautiful Christmas trees but will also affect how much those trees cost.

Check out this years tree pricing here. 

Since Brungot Farms first began in the Christmas tree world (Christmas of 2014), there has been an 89% increase in the mean price of Christmas trees. Of the biggest 10 states producing trees in 2002, only North Carolina has increased acres in production (up 31% in 2012). The remaining states have declined, some by nearly 50%. Texas, for example, has less than 1% of the tree production across the US.

Brungot Farms values high quality and affordable trees. We take these values very seriously.  They are important because we greatly value making trees more accessible and giving back to the community. The owner, Aaron Brungot, understands the effect of having to make the decision at Christmas time between purchasing a Christmas Tree or purchasing gifts and food. We want to address that issue and make it a high priority. Despite what is happening in the market and across Christmas tree farms across the United States, through the years we want to keep our prices as low as possible and our trees lush and beautiful.

Want more insight into the beginning of Brungot Farms? Read one of our first blog posts from Aaron Brungot on the why behind Christmas trees.

When you purchase your trees from us, just remember, you’re not just placing a beautiful tree in your home, you’re helping others that can’t do the same!