Hot, dry summers mean more expensive Christmas trees

(DECEMBER 1, 2019) Christmas is a holiday that is celebrated on December 25 every year. For many, it's a religious holiday. For others, though, it's about family, friends, and giving. For most, the holiday traditions include displaying a Christmas tree in their homes.

The traditional Christmas tree is an evergreen tree, such as a spruce, fir, or pine. People decorate the tree with ornaments and garland. Some people even add edible decorations such as candy canes. Most trees have lights.

Oregon is the state that grows the most trees in the country. Farmers in Oregon sell about 4.6 million trees every year. The average price was $78 last year, which was a few dollars more than in 2017.

However, prices are higher this year -- maybe as much as $20 more. Why? The hot and dry summers in Oregon destroyed many seedlings and young trees. When there are fewer trees to sell, the price goes up.

Chal Landgren works for Oregon State University. Landgren says many Christmas tree farms are no longer in business. This is true outside of Oregon, too.

"Across the country we're in the same boat, North Carolina is the second biggest producer and they're having a bit of a shortage as well," says Landgren.