Christmas Trees Sales Likely to Be Down Again this Year

Some growers are expecting a 10 percent decline in Christmas trees sales this year.

Oregon is by far the largest producer of Christmas trees in the U.S. In 2003, it was a $159 million cash crop for the state, employing about 10,000 residents in full and part-time work.

While some Oregon growers are predicting a 10 percent sales drop this year due largely to the use of artificial trees, the state's growers have increased their plantings ever year since at least 1997. The growers are apparently depending on international sales, as sales in Christmas tress in the U.S. have dropped by more than eight million from 2000 to 2003, while artificial trees increased by a little over 12 million during the same period.

Growers in some states (Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin and New York) have left the business.