Strong demand for real Christmas trees boosts Texas economy

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Demand for real Christmas trees continues to rise in Texas, thanks partly to behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic, which sent families outdoors seeking safe and fun experiences.

More than four million Christmas trees are sold each year in Texas, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.

"People were looking to get out of the house, have family experiences," said Fred Raley, the Texas A&M Forest Service tree improvement coordinator. "Nothing is better to do that than to go to a cut-and-choose operation and pick your own Christmas tree."

In total, the economic impact added up to $714 million, and supported nearly 6,000 jobs in 2022, according to a Forest Service economic study.

However, that recent success could be threatened by mother nature.

Tree growers typically only cut 20-25% of their trees in any given year. Raley explained that as a result of dryer conditions, the number of new trees growing in the years ahead could be limited.

"There may be a tighter market in the next few years coming up," he said. "I know particularly the young seedlings going in have been impacted. I actually visited with a grower not far from here who has actually had some losses in their bigger trees."

To offset some of the drought's impact already, some farms are supplementing their own growth with more shipped trees.

While there was immediate concern about the impact of Hurricane Helene on grows in North Carolina, Raley said the damage was limited and that roads are back open.

The biggest risk to getting a tree in Texas now may simply be procrastination. The weekend after Thanksgiving is the busiest of the season for growers.

Raley said that finding that perfect tree to fill your home may now be more difficult.

"If you're after a larger tree, you may be having a little trouble finding some of the bigger trees, but there should be a pretty good amount of inventory left, but it will be going fast," he said.