Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Sydney Chisholm

Christmas Trees

Christmas tree shortage presents challenges for Kamloops sellers, increased prices for buyers

Dec 1, 2023 | 10:08 AM

KAMLOOPS – Christmas is less than a month away and once again, vendors are reporting a shortage of fresh trees. Two major sellers of trees in the city have had to find new options to ensure their supply.

Adam Woodward from Woodward Christmas Tree Farm says this year the farm won’t be selling any of their own trees or offering any U-cut trees.

“Ten years ago, my parents didn’t know if they wanted to keep the tradition going, as me and my brothers had not shown an interest in coming back to the farm. They made the decision to stop planting trees,” said Woodward. “And then about five years after that, we came back to the farm and said, ‘Hey, we’re interested.’ Now we’re kind of in that low inventory period as a result of not planting trees for about five years.”

Instead, the farm has brought in some trees from outside of the city for a reduced price.

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Maury Hik, owner of Art Knapp Garden Centre says his usual supplier closed and finding a new one was a daunting task.

“There is actually a shortage of trees. I know you hear that almost every year, it sounds like. But in our case specifically, there was a shortage,” he said. “They’re probably a little bit smaller because they haven’t had the growth that they usually have with the lack of moisture. You’re not seeing a whole bunch of growth.”

Despite their smaller size, these trees cost a pretty penny.

“The prices have gone up quite a bit,” explained Hik. “If you bought a tree, let’s say for $100 last year, that price is going to be like a $120-30, maybe even topping out at $140 — so almost 50 per cent more.”

Between the heat dome and drought, the last ten years that it takes to grow a Christmas tree haven’t been favourable.

“The next growing season has a little bit of unknowns right now with our water supply,” Woodward said. “There might be some challenges there. Working through that and then the next season, we’re just continuing to plant Christmas trees and, and grow the ones that we currently have.”