The National Christmas Tree Association, the national association of Christmas tree growers, advises consumers to follow these recommendations:
- Shop early to have the best choice. Due to their popularity, in some parts of the US choose- and-cut Christmas tree farms sell their available trees If you plan to shop at a tree farm shop early in the season after Thanksgiving. Shopping early in the season is a good idea wherever you plan to shop to have the most options to choose among.
- You will be able to purchase a tree. Supplies are tight and some locations will sell out early, but there are enough real farm-grown Christmas trees for everyone who wants one to get one. Supplies of real farm-grown trees have been tight since 2016, but each year shoppers have been able to find a tree.
- Be flexible. Because supplies are tight you may need to look in different places to find a real tree. You should also be open to trying different types of trees. There are many beautiful varieties of Christmas trees, there will be one that is just right for you and your family.
2023 Season Recap
NCTA conducts a consumer survey each year in January to monitor important Christmas tree purchasing trends that impact the industry including the percentage of consumers purchasing real Christmas trees, where they purchased their trees, the price they paid and demographic information of real Christmas tree purchasers. The survey is taken by a 2,000-person sample that is balanced to represent the US population demographics. The results of the survey are used to project the total number of real trees purchased and calculate the median price paid by survey respondents who purchased a real tree.
The 2023 survey results project 21.58 million real Christmas trees were purchased in 2023. 14% of consumers surveyed purchased a real tree and reported paying a median price of $75 for their tree in 2023. The average real Christmas tree buyer in 2023 was 42 years old, lived in a household of more than 3 people and owned a home.
Where Real Farm-Grown Christmas trees were Purchased in 2023
- Choose & Cut Farm: 25%
- Chain Store: 21%
- Nursery: 16%
- Retail Lot: 15%
- Non-Profit (Boy Scouts, churches, etc.): 13%
- Online: 6%
- Other: 4%