Today's Article

In just eight days, Mike Haffner and his team sold more than 2,100 Christmas trees, which was all he had available ready to be 1chopped down. All over the nation, he says farmers are experiencing similar 2shortages. 

"A lot of the 3growers did not get 4a whole lot of 5growth, especially in those 6crucial months of May and June. When those trees need to be growing, they weren’t receiving enough moisture. And I also do some business with a grower up in Michigan, he 7experienced the same thing."

This year Haffner is 8downsizing his Christmas tree business to 9pursue a new career, which is another trend he sees creating a shortage as more growers leave the 10industry. 

"What happened in 2008, a lot of folks got out and they have not gotten back in. I can tell you it's 11extremely difficult in order to get a contract right now to have Fraser 12Firs shipped."

In Lenexa, George Hess estimates he has about 50 trees left on his farm that are in the proper stage to be sold off. 

"This year I lost somewhere in the 20 to 30 13seedlings, didn't make it through the summer."

Because Christmas trees take several years to grow to the ideal height for customers, Hess believes this shortage could 14drag on for years. 

"When you compound the fact that it takes 8-10 years to grow a tree, that means 8-10 years ago there'll be that many less trees. That will be ready for 15harvest."