Christmas tree farms in Oregon are facing significant supply challenges this year, primarily due to the repercussions of past droughts and heat waves that have resulted in substantial losses of seedlings and small noble firs. Terry Bradshaw, owner of JTB U-Cut Christmas Trees, highlighted the impact of these environmental factors, stating, “We try and have 1,000 trees ready to go every year, but with past droughts and heat waves, we’ve had tremendous die-off of the seedlings and small nobles, and it’s starting to catch up to us now.”
Despite these difficulties, Bradshaw confirmed that the farm will open the day after Thanksgiving, although the length of the season is uncertain due to a limited supply. He expressed hope that customers will be more understanding this year, saying, “Hopefully customers will understand and be a little more accepting of a little smaller tree than they normally get.”
While the overall Christmas tree industry in Oregon appears to have adequate supplies for retailers, smaller U-cut farms like JTB are experiencing more pronounced struggles. The noble fir, which ranks among the most sought-after Christmas tree varieties, typically requires about 10 to 12 years to mature and is also the most expensive to cultivate. Bradshaw noted, “Our labor costs are going through the roof,” yet emphasized that JTB U-Cut will keep last year’s pricing steady at $80 for any size tree, even amid rising production costs.
Oregon stands out as a leading producer of Christmas trees in the United States, with over 4 million trees, accounting for roughly 30% of the nation’s overall production. The Oregon Department of Agriculture reports that Christmas trees are grown on 1,000 farms throughout the western part of the state, where the combination of favorable climate, soil quality, and agricultural expertise fosters successful tree growth.
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Noble firs are particularly desirable due to their well-spaced branches, impressive needle retention, and longevity when cared for properly. Contrary to the common misconception that Oregon Christmas trees are sourced from natural forests, they are actually cultivated sustainably in extensive fields, which contribute to carbon sequestration over the years.
Looking toward the future, Bradshaw expressed concerns about the operational viability of the farm given escalating costs related to labor, fuel, and employee wages. “We do have higher labor cost, fuel costs, employee wages, but we are trying to absorb it,” he stated. He added, “We will have to reevaluate for next season, how we will operate,” indicating a need for potential adjustments to ensure the farm’s sustainability in an evolving economic landscape.
