“The supply of trees remains tight for 2023, but there isn’t a shortage. Everyone who wants a real Christmas tree will be able to get one, as has been the case since 2016 when the tight supply began,” said National Christmas Tree Association spokesman Tim O’Connor.

Penn State Extension Commercial Horticulture educator Thomas G. Ford agrees.

“We have seen growers exit out due to retirement, and we have not seen many new entrants enter the industry. Trees from local choose-and-cut farms are the best option for most consumers because they will retain their freshness the best through the holiday season,” Ford said.

Overall, Christmas tree prices will be slightly higher this year, Ford said.

Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski / Jeff Kline of Kline's Tree Farm, Carrolltown, cuts down a Christmas tree outside of Nicktown on Friday afternoon.

Local growers agree that the supply is tight.

“We have been able to maintain our inventory by closing early in previous years. COVID changed my business. It flipped us from wholesale to retail. There was so much demand for real trees. I saw people coming from unreal distances that year,” said owner Rick Koontz of Sellers Tree Farm, Bedford, which will start selling trees Friday.

He has reduced the number of trees he wholesales to make more available locally.

He plans to be open this Friday, Saturday and Sunday and the first weekend in December.

“Then we will decide what to do. I want to be here next year and the year after that. I don’t want to have to close for a year due to my inventory drying up,” Koontz said.

Tait Christmas Tree Farm near Boalsburg has a lot of trees between 6 and 8 feet tall but not many taller. “If you want a tree, come early,” said manager Emily Zink.

The farm opened last Friday.

Mark Kline, owner of Kline’s Tree Farm, Carrolltown, said he has a good supply of trees and will start sales Friday.

“The industry estimates that consumers will see on average a price increase of 10% for Christmas trees due to supply and weather-

related issues. … The industry average price for a Christmas tree in 2023 will range between $85 to $110, but it is expected that most Christmas tree growers will not wish to break the $100 barrier,” Ford said.

Costs of doing everything are up; labor, fuel and chemicals have skyrocketed, said co-owner Evelyn Bookhammer of JB Tree Farm near Alexandria, which will start sales Friday.

Koontz said his prices are up a little, nothing drastic, maybe $3 to $4 a tree.

Jim Holencik, president of Eagle Street Estate Christmas Tree Farm, Morrisdale, who only wholesales Fraser fir trees, said prices have gone up.

“Fertilizer went up three times from what I used to pay. You can’t recover all those losses and can’t pass that on to the folks buying trees. There is a fine line between keeping the customer happy and being profitable. In general, prices are about the same as last year, maybe up 5 to 6 percent, nothing drastic,” Holencik said.

The most popular Christmas trees for Pennsylvania consumers include Fraser, concolor, Douglas and Canaan fir, Ford said.

“Our most popular are Douglas fir and Fraser fir. They smell good and hold their needles well and are beautiful. Fraser are good for hanging long ornaments. There is space between the branches. We also have some blue spruce. They are good with hanging ornaments, have a strong scent and are a beautiful blue color,” Bookhammer said.

Koontz said Fraser and concolor firs are his two biggest sellers. They have soft needles. Fraser is dark green, while concolor is a silvery color. Both have a nice orange peel scent to them that smells great. Needle retention is great, Koontz said.

Kline has a wide variety of trees including Fraser and Douglas fir, blue spruce and white pine. “Fraser and Douglas are the most popular,” Kline said.

Koontz said this year has been a bit different for area growers.

“It has been powerfully dry. We are desperate for rain. When you take a live tree home, you will want to water it well. I’ve seen years drier, maybe 10 to 15 years ago, but it is dry,” Koontz said.

Buyers should look for a tree that is green and not beginning to brown.

Proper care is critical, particularly with a fresh-cut tree, keeping it watered every day, O’Connor said.

“A good rule-of-thumb is, when in doubt about the freshness of a tree, select another one. If none of the trees on the lot look fresh, go to another lot,” Ford said.

Zink said it may be a good idea to shop early.

“Don’t expect to find large trees in our area. … A live Christmas tree is a renewable resource and is biodegradable,” Zink said.

Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 814-946-7467.