Delaware among the top 10 most expensive states to buy a Christmas tree
Jessica BiesNo, you're not imagining things.
Christmas trees in Delaware cost considerably more than in other states, a new report shows.
In fact, the First State is one of the top 10 most expensive states for Christmas trees in the U.S., according to ChamberofCommerce.org.
You can expect to pay well above the national average for a little bit of Chrismas cheer this year, even though the state is located right next to one of the top tree producers in the country — Pennsylvania — and Delaware has several local tree farms of its own.
How much do they cost?
Christmas trees in Delaware cost an average of $68 this year, according to the report.
That's compared to $33 in North Dakota and a whopping $90 in New York.
Discrepancies can be seen across the entire country, where the national average is about $59 for a real, six-foot tree, according to ChamberofCommerce.org, a site for small business owners and entrepreneurs.
These are the 10 most expensive states to buy an evergreen:
- New York: $90
- California: $82
- Colorado: $79
- Pennsylvania: $73
- Massachusetts: $72
- Utah: $72
- Virginia: $71
- Delaware: $68
- Indiana: $68
- Washington: $68
Is it just a matter of geographics?
Pennsylvania, New York and Virginia are all major tree producers and are still on the list.
And some Northeastern states aren't nearly as expensive. Trees in Vermont, for example, are an average $45, while trees in New Hampshire are $49.
That puts them among some of the cheapest states in the country to buy evergreens.
Why are they so expensive?
Several news outlets have reported rising Christmas tree prices due to an impending evergreen shortage.
A steadily shrinking number of farms in Maryland and Delaware, a rainy summer and a tight national market have put pressure on the local offerings of trees this year, said Gary Thomas, president of the Maryland Christmas Tree Association.
BACKGROUND: Local Christmas trees in short supply in Delaware and Maryland
Jim Landis, president of the Delaware Christmas Tree Growers Association, said he brought in a number of trees from out of state to Landis Tree Farm in Harbeson this year.
They line the pre-cut trees up at their farm so customers that can't find a fresh local tree will have another option on site.
"Quite frankly, a lot of the trees that are out there are still small trees," Landis said earlier this month. "We are going to have to supplement what we have."
Landis said Delaware's growers don't typically compare prices, but he personally charges $60 for a six-foot Douglas fir.
"I know that it has been difficult this year for some growers to get trees from out of state," he said, adding that may be why some residents have noticed fewer road-side stands.
"I think there's plenty of trees around," Landis said. "It's just that where you got your tree last year, you might not be able to get one this year."
How much are they marked up?
The tree shortage is not affecting all states equally, according to ChamberofCommerce.org. Some retailers buy trees wholesale, then mark them up considerably.
Brown's Tree Farm in Muncy, Pennsylvania, sell 6- to 7-feet-tall Douglas firs for $21 a piece. Another popular Christmas tree, the Fraser fir, sells for $26 a piece.
That means some retailers could be making more than $40 a tree, before shipping costs.
The averages from ChamberofCommerce.org are based on the most popular kinds of trees purchased. Prices are broken down by foot, then multiplied by six to represent a six-foot tree.
The organization surveyed Christmas tree farms across each state.
Landis said he has to mark his trees up to make a profit. In many ways, it's simple economics.
What do Delawareans think?
Many Delawareans are happy to pay a little bit extra for a fresh tree.
Others go out of state or buy an artificial one.
Mike Rowe said he was glad to pay $50 for a 6.5-foot tree at Pine Valley Farms just west of Fair Hill in Maryland. He got to pick it out himself in early November.
"It is cut just prior to the day of scheduled pick-up, wrapped and tied down to the roof of my SUV," he said on Facebook.
Another Facebook commenter paid $75 for a fresh tree from Coleman's Christmas Tree Farm in Middletown. Another paid $57 at Clark’s Christmas Tree Farm in Chester County, Pennsylvania.
Mimi McMillin paid $53 for a pre-cut tree from Schmidt's Tree Farm in Landenberg, Pennsylvania, and shared a picture of it online.
Some road-side stands sell trees starting at about $35, and Christopher Prosser, from Lewes, said he only paid $32.
Moriah Elizabeth Gibbs said she spent $20 on an artificial tree on Facebook Marketplace.
"Lights sold separately," she said. "Lol."
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Contact Jessica Bies at (302) 324-2881 or jbies@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @jessicajbies.