Christmas tree shortage, big box buyup cause scarcity in Leelanau
Photos by Raquel Jackson
By Jacob Wheeler
Sun editor
UPDATE (Nov. 18): Northwoods Hardware owners Jeff and Georgia Gietzen report that—thanks to front-page coverage in the Glen Arbor Sun about the lack of Fraser Fir trees for sale this year—three different tree suppliers contacted Northwoods Hardware, “and we’re now going to be in the tree business once again this holiday season!” wrote Georgia.
In short, Northwoods Hardware WILL have trees for sale this year. But there’s still a scarcity of trees elsewhere in the region, and nationwide.
Northwoods Hardware in Glen Arbor originally was not going to sell Christmas trees during the upcoming holiday season, store owner Jeff Gietzen told the Sun in October. Northwoods has sold nearly 100 trees to local customers in each of the past six years, beginning the day after Thanksgiving.
Gietzen’s supplier in Traverse City told him in late June that they wouldn’t be able to supply trees this year. The reasons he was given were a nationwide shortage of Fraser Firs and other popular Christmas trees, and sales concentrated to big box stores rather than small retail outlets. Amazon.com also recently jumped into the Christmas tree-selling game. Gietzen says he contacted 8-10 other tree growers within a 90-minute drive from Glen Arbor. Each time he got the same response.
“I [was] disappointed that we [couldn’t] provide trees to our customers. We’ve worked hard to create a local niche,” said Gietzen. “But being in retail our whole lives, I understand the shift from small stores to big stores. Now we’re also seeing a shift from physical box stores to online stores. I understand it. But we’re not giving up. We’ll redouble our efforts right after the holidays to see whose list we can get on.”
According to Amy Start, executive director of the Michigan Christmas Tree Association, the nationwide shortage stems from a reduction in tree planting 10-11 years ago when the economic recession hit. Christmas trees take 7-10 years to fully mature.
“There are still plenty of tree farms in Michigan, but the trees aren’t mature enough to harvest,” says Start. “Some years we’ve had an overabundance, other times a lighter year.”
Start expects the supply of trees to rebound in a few years.
The current Christmas tree scarcity will be felt across the United States but will be more acute in Michigan, the third biggest grower nationwide. Michigan farmers sell 1.7 million trees per year.
Start adds that a resurgence in the popularity of real Christmas trees—as opposed to fake ones that can be stored in one’s basement—have squeezed the market.
“We see more younger people turning to real Christmas trees,” she says, citing the impact of the “It’s Christmas. Keep it Real” online campaign based in Howell, Michigan.
“More millennials are going to farms to get their trees. Everyone is looking for the outdoor experience, to connect with nature, to do the wholesome thing during the holidays, and to take family photos for social media.”
The scarcity of available trees, and the impact of large wholesalers gobbling up the market was confirmed by the owner of a popular northern Michigan tree farm that wished not to be identified because they’re worried about being overwhelmed this holiday season. That farmer grows 75 percent of their own Christmas trees but relies on another farmer for the remaining 25 percent. This year that supplier sold their stock to a wholesaler in Lake City.
“Everybody is feeling the pinch this year,” the farmer says.
Leelanau residents looking for Christmas trees this year may have to forego the farm visit and buy from a seller in downtown Traverse City, or (gulp) even a big box store.
