Canadians could face Christmas tree shortage this year

It could be a little bit harder this year to find the perfect Christmas tree. 

Producers are having trouble keeping up with increasing demand and some retailers have already announced they won't be selling trees on their lots this season. 

Shirley Brennan, executive director of the Canadian Christmas Tree Growers' Association. says demand has rapidly increased, and that's a problem when trees take 8 to 12 years to grow. 

“In 2015 we were a $53 million industry, and in 2020 we were a $100 million industry, so that rapid increase in demand certainly was something we could not forecast,” Brennan explained. “We can't just go out and plant trees in the spring and have them ready for the harvest season at the end of that year.”

Producers have also pointed to adverse weather conditions as delaying growth in some areas. 

Brennan is asking people to be patient, and to be open to compromise if they can't find the perfect tree. 

“If you are going out for a tree and can't find that balsam fir you're used to getting, maybe try and step out of your comfort zone and ask the farmer or retailer what other types of trees there are,” she said.