Some tree vendors are facing a shortage as Christmas approaches

Though there might not be a Christmas tree shortage in Canada based on the number of trees being grown, cost-of-living concerns are causing tree sellers to cut down fewer trees than usual.

Several tree lots in the Halifax area are already sold out and closed, while several others are down to their final few trees.

According to tree seller John VantHof, part of the business strategy of selling Christmas trees includes anticipating how many trees will be needed to satisfy the demands of consumers.

"Prices have skyrocketed for rent and there's less money for people to spend, that's for sure,” said VantHof, who is also with the Canadian Christmas Tree Association.

The current economic conditions are causing some uncertainty. Paying around $70 for a Christmas tree may be too steep, compared to an artificial one which can be reused.

Vendors are not sure how many trees to cut down and sell, and selling out of trees early in the month is also a risk. Last year, some locations had to shut-down more than a week before Christmas which meant they missed out on extra profit.

“We closed on December 16, which is a bit early for us because we weren’t sure if we would get enough business to sell more trees,” said Christmas tree seller Brad Veinotte, who is never quite sure if his supply will match the demand and having too many unsold trees, could kill his profits. “We just want to make sure we didn’t have trees left over, and that’s a fine line.”

Charles Demone calls himself “old school” when it comes to his view on have a real Christmas tree. He knows they are not cheap and in limited supply, so he made sure he and his wife bought their tree well ahead of December 25.

"People come here for the family experience,” said Demone. “I want to come here, walk around a lot, have fun with the trees and I love the fresh smell."

Christmas tree supply issues are happening at a time when exporting trees is a growing a business.

The Balsam Fir tree is grown in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and parts of Quebec. Each December, thousands of trees are shipped to Europe, Asia and the U.S.

"The American market is still strong and they can't get enough trees,” said VantHof.

"We grow the most, and we have a great infrastructure for sending them out,” said Veinotte, who added, the Balsam Fir trees grown in Canada are world renowned for their high quality.