Christmas trees are going fast in Michigan. Head’s up, procrastinators

• Demand for real Christmas trees continues to be high as families start buying trees earlier in the season 
• Farmers saw an increase in demand during the pandemic when people made a family activity out of cutting down their own tree 
• Some farmers have to buy trees from other farmers because they don’t have enough to meet the demand

Real Christmas trees have become very popular over the last few years and many farms tend to sell out before the season ends. 

Demand for real trees has been high since the pandemic, when Christmas tree farms were among the few businesses that remained open, tree farmers say. It was an outdoor activity that allowed people to gather and social distance.

“It gave families a chance to meet outside with something to do,’” said Larry Davis, owner of Huron Christmas Tree Farm in Huron Township. “One car would pull in and then another car would come in, and the kids would go screaming across the parking lot ‘Grandma and Grandpa haven't seen you forever’,” he said. 

Interest in real trees has only grown. Nearly 1.8 million trees were cut in Michigan in 2022 — up from about 1.5 million in 2017, according to the National Christmas Tree Association. 

Michigan has the nation’s third-largest Christmas tree harvest each year, behind North Carolina and Oregon, bringing in about $40 million. 

Christmas trees take 10-12 years to grow. After every season, farmers tend to plant double what was sold. But sometimes that’s still not enough. 

Related: Why it’s so hard this year to find a Michigan Christmas tree

“A lot of times you never harvest 100% of what you plant,” said Chris Maciborski, owner of Dutchman Tree Farms in northern Michigan. 

“You always have gaps in inventory so you have relationships with other farms  and if they have extra then you just buy trees and sell trees back and forth based on need.” 

Because the demand for real trees is so high, some people settle for an artificial tree because they can’t get to their favorite tree farm in time. 

“Some of what's complicated things are not having enough trees,” Maciborski said. “Some people have been forced into artificials, probably not wanting to. What you lose with an artificial is just the experience, the feel, the smell.” 

Maciborski said over the last 30 years he’s noticed that people are putting their trees up before Thanksgiving, which has also contributed to demand and how early people go out to get their tree for the season. 

Real appeal 

Demand for real trees is especially prevalent among young families who tend to be environmentally conscious and don’t like the idea of having a plastic tree knowing that it doesn’t break down in landfills and contributes to climate pollution. 

“There's a lot of young families that are getting into having a real Christmas tree and having that experience with their family,” said Amy Start, executive director of the Michigan Christmas Tree Association. “That generation seems to be really into where their products are coming from, that kind of thing. And so choosing real is something that's very important to them.” 

While some people don’t mind spending extra money on an artificial tree that can be used for a few years, real Christmas trees, stripped of their ornaments and tinsel, can be recycled for mulch, soil-erosion barriers and other uses after the holiday season. 

Not only do people go to Christmas tree farms to find and cut a tree, but it also serves as a family outing. Some farms have hot cocoa, donuts and even a Santa Claus. 

“Sometimes with artificial trees … it seems like a chore,” said Vincenzo Vultaggio, co-owner of Vultaggio Royal Tree Farms in Boon, outside of Cadillac. “This is almost like an activity.”

Royal Tree Farms opened on Sunday. Christmas tree farms traditionally open the week before Thanksgiving. 

The price of a real tree can vary depending on the type of tree and height, but the average is $10-$12 per foot, Start said. In 2023, buyers spent an average of $75 for a Christmas tree compared to $80 in 2022, according to the National Christmas Tree Association. 

Picking the perfect tree 

One of the biggest mistakes people make when buying a tree is not getting the right size and then possibly having to get the tree cut again, Vultaggio said. Before you cut down a tree he recommends:  

• Measure your ceilings — and don’t forget to take into account the tree stand and the topper 
• Have a sturdy tree stand so that the tree isn’t leaning over 
• Make sure the tree you want fits the space. For smaller spaces, opt for a slim tree and for larger spaces opt for a wider tree 

Vultaggio also warned buyers not to put the tree by the vent. Warm air blowing on the tree could dry it out quickly. Also, real trees do need to be monitored and watered daily, especially once they’re decorated, to prevent a fire.