If you’re in the market to purchase a real Christmas tree this holiday season, expect to dig deeper in your wallet. Albuquerque, like the rest of the nation, has seen an increase in the price of buying a real or fake tree.
The American Christmas Tree Association (ACTA) said poor weather, supply chain challenges, and shipping container shortages are among the factors that have led to lower supply and higher prices, with the cost in 2021 for real trees almost doubling since 2015. The price of fake trees has also increased by around 20 to 30%, according to a 2021 USDA report.
COVID-19 has been a huge factor, causing economic instability that ripples down to even the cost of Christmas trees.
“The way the prices are this year, it’s OK. I’ll stick with my artificial tree for now, until I can find a tree that I can get at my price,” Cecilia Sedillo told KRQE. “Every tree lot we’ve been to, they’re expensive.”
The ACTA suggests consumers remove their fake tree from storage to check its condition. “Our advice is to get the tree out early even if you’re not ready to set it up yet and check the branches and base to make sure it is good to go,” the association said on its website.
