Local producers of Christmas trees are waiting for a good season

Despite the bad weather, the threat of scarcity of trees and Amazon's breakthrough in the market, local Christmas tree producers are expecting a good season.

For Michael Casto, owner of the Houde Christmas tree farm in Marlborough with his wife, a good economy means an increase in tree sales. The fact that Thanksgiving fell early this year also means that farmers will benefit from an extra weekend of sales.

"We have been in business for almost 50 years," said Casto. "I think it's okay."

Trees grown at Houde usually cost between $ 50 and $ 60, depending on their size.

While Casto prices have been static for several years, tree prices have risen at the national level. A healthy market for trees comes with a slight price increase, said Doug Hundley, a spokesperson for the National Christmas Tree Association. He estimated that the average price increase would be less than 5%.

Bad weather in the area has posed some problems, particularly with regard to the sale of precut trees. Mr. Casto, who also receives trees from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, said his suppliers were particularly affected by the late freeze this spring and the first snowstorms this fall.

Megan Krugger, co-owner of Mistletoe Acres Tree Farm in East Bridgewater, said she is still waiting to receive her stock of balsam fir. Abundant snow in the north has made it impossible for some suppliers to access their trees, she said.

In addition, tree producers will share the market this year with a new major competitor. This month, Amazon started selling normal sized live Christmas trees.

Hundley said the trees bought through the online retail giant are probably not grown in New England. Fraser fir are grown in North Carolina, Pennsylvania and New York, while balsams come from various other areas of the northeastern United States and Canada, he said.

The small Christmas tree growing industry is not worried about Amazon's entry into the market. In fact, Hundley is happy that the online market exists.

"We know that it can be difficult for seniors to go to the farm," he said. "It's a way to meet those needs."

The purchase of mail order trees is not new. They have been advertised in magazines or on the Internet for decades, said Hundley. So far, however, they have accounted for only 1 to 3% of total sales.

Dave Bihldorff, director of the Pakeen Farm Farm in Canton, said that he did not think that Amazon would compete with local producers.

"It's all about coming to the farm," he said. "This is not something that a fallen tree can reproduce."

Casto said he was more concerned about the effect of weather conditions on sales. Farms like his often rely on weekend sales to make ends meet, he said. When the weather is bad and temperatures are low, it can slow down sales.

Hundley said the producers are optimistic about Generation Y, who are starting to raise their own families.

"They like to buy locally and they buy natural," he said.

Many had real Christmas trees in their homes and Hundley expects those who grew up with fake trees to try real ones.

You can contact Abigail Feldman at [email protected].