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The Economics of Christmas Trees

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Re: The Economics of Christmas Trees

#101

Post by tengbretson »

legolas2412 wrote: post #65
missedthecue wrote: post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

These aren't communion chalices. Christmas trees have no religious significance.

The name literally includes "christ"

Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.

For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.

They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.

They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.

Re: The Economics of Christmas Trees

#102

Post by sircastor »

psbp wrote: post #3
sircastor wrote: post #2

I was just discussing tree farm economics with the guy who runs the farm we bought from this year. Our normal place was closed this year, and he told me a number of his local competitors only opened for one weekend. The trees this year we’re on the short side because of supply issues from the previous years.

This is because of the wildfires in the PNW, right? I remember hearing about this years ago.

I believe it’s actually more related to the economic depression/recession ~2008. Fewer buyers in 2008 meant less space to plant new trees, which means fewer trees reaching maturity for this season. Coupled with a bad few years means more farms closing, meaning fewer trees available for a larger customer base.

Though I can’t speak regarding the fires impact on farms.

Re: The Economics of Christmas Trees

#105

Post by patentatt »

etothepii wrote: post #97

A Christmas tree here in Bermuda will cost North if $200 and come with an 8 hour queue so sadly this year we've passed. I would have paid $300 though to avoid the queue.

If I recall, Hawaii has a similar situation, where residents wait for “the Christmas tree boat” to arrive with all the Christmas trees for the whole island.

Re: The Economics of Christmas Trees

#106

Post by fach »

rdj wrote: post #90

Timely. We just, as in a few hours ago, wrapped up our season as owners of a u-cut tree farm. It's relatively small, just under 30 acres. But our family was just doing a post-mortem on what went well, what we need to change and making fairly detailed plans for next year and even several years out. I can tell you more then you want to know about the growing, spring/summer and fall care. The shaping. The labor to trim,…

What's the strategy (both logistically and financially) for dealing with the 8-10 year maturity cycle of the trees? Also, I'd imagine it provides some moat for preventing new competition into the market.

Re: The Economics of Christmas Trees

#107

Post by dmurray »

rdj wrote: post #90

Timely. We just, as in a few hours ago, wrapped up our season as owners of a u-cut tree farm. It's relatively small, just under 30 acres. But our family was just doing a post-mortem on what went well, what we need to change and making fairly detailed plans for next year and even several years out. I can tell you more then you want to know about the growing, spring/summer and fall care. The shaping. The labor to trim,…

Is theft/security an issue for you? Mature Christmas trees must be one of the highest-value crops you can steal from a farm, and one of the easiest to fence.

Re: The Economics of Christmas Trees

#108

Post by dmurray »

mason55 wrote: post #92
jdlshore wrote: post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I live in Portland Oregon and paid $40 for a 6’ noble fir yesterday at a small retail lot. Normally, you can bargain down the price (and judging by his tentative price quote, he was expecting me to) but I was happy with that price and didn’t bother.

I tried to barter at a NYC sidewalk tree seller for our office tree once. They wouldn’t budge so I walked. Had to embarrassingly come back 30 mins later when we couldn’t even find another tree seller. They were nice and didn’t raise the price further.

I think you mean "haggle" rather than "barter". Unless you were offering him supplies from your office instead of cash.

Re: The Economics of Christmas Trees

#109

Post by _2d30 »

rdj wrote: post #90

Timely. We just, as in a few hours ago, wrapped up our season as owners of a u-cut tree farm. It's relatively small, just under 30 acres. But our family was just doing a post-mortem on what went well, what we need to change and making fairly detailed plans for next year and even several years out. I can tell you more then you want to know about the growing, spring/summer and fall care. The shaping. The labor to trim,…

Successful season I assume? Seems like it's over early!

Re: The Economics of Christmas Trees

#110

Post by supernova87a »

patentatt wrote: post #105
etothepii wrote: post #97

A Christmas tree here in Bermuda will cost North if $200 and come with an 8 hour queue so sadly this year we've passed. I would have paid $300 though to avoid the queue.

If I recall, Hawaii has a similar situation, where residents wait for “the Christmas tree boat” to arrive with all the Christmas trees for the whole island.

Are they worse for wear, given the week-long (?) journey to get there?
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