U.S. Christmas Tree Market Shifts with Tariffs, Weather
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United States: Retail and farm reporting show real Christmas tree demand increased this season as tariffs raised artificial tree prices and weather events affected supply nationwide. Michigan farms expect about two million trees and $45 million revenue this year; Vermont reports 3,495 production acres. Tariffs on Chinese imports average 47.5 percent, with decorations facing 30 percent or higher, and about 87 percent of artificial trees originate in China. Growers, retailers, and safety agencies issued consumer guidance on transport and fire prevention. Western North Carolina producers continued recovery after Hurricane Helene disrupted sales. Based on 11 articles reviewed and supporting research.
Prepared by Christopher Adams and reviewed by editorial team.
Timeline of Events
- 2005: State House tree damaged after fire-retardant spray, reporting noted needle loss.
- 2017: State House tree died shortly before Christmas, prompting replacement coverage.
- 2019: An artificial State House tree was used, drawing criticism from growers.
- 2022: USDA census recorded Vermont with 3,495 Christmas-tree production acres across 260 farms.
- This season: Tariffs increased artificial tree prices; Hurricane Helene earlier impacted Western NC farms; local growers reported steady or increased real-tree demand.
- Articles Published:
- 11
- Right Leaning:
- 1
- Left Leaning:
- 0
- Neutral:
- 10
- Distribution:
- Left 0%, Center 91%, Right 9%
Local real-tree growers and regional farm economies benefited from increased demand and steady local prices, while retailers selling domestically grown trees saw stronger traffic; importers and sellers of artificial trees faced higher costs linked to tariffs.
Households and retailers reliant on imported artificial trees experienced higher prices; some Western North Carolina producers lost sales and suffered flood damage after Hurricane Helene, reducing local tourism and revenue.
Coverage of Story:
From Left
No left-leaning sources found for this story.
From Center
U.S. Christmas Tree Market Shifts with Tariffs, Weather
Rome Sentinel WJAR https://www.wtvm.com ValdostaToday.com The Burlington Free Press KUSA.com abc11 News KSL NewsRadio WHAS 11 Louisville http://www.wtol.comFrom Right
Michigan farms supply Christmas trees nationwide, including to the White House
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