Christmas season is here, and this year it brought tariffs with the trees and tinsel.
NPR reports artificial Christmas tree prices are up as much as 15% this year due, in part, to President Trump’s tariffs on China, where nearly 85% of artificial Christmas trees originate. But the price hike is actually a boon for local tree farmers.
Adam Crisp, president of the Oklahoma Christmas Tree Association, says farmers are reporting “excellent sales” so far this season.
“We’ve all seen an increase,” he said. “It is at least as good as last year, if not better.”
Crisp owns Crisp Tree Farm in Bixby, where he says sales are up about 10% over this time last year.
Owasso Christmas Tree and Berry Farm had a record opening day, selling more than a tree a minute, according to spokeswoman Ariel Horry. The farm also features hay rides, cider, free photo opportunities and a gift shop.
Horry says she thinks families are feeling more nostalgic this holiday season.
“Especially when times are hard, folks really cling to their traditions, and our farm is known as the farm where family traditions begin,” Horry said. “I think more people than ever are looking to spend time with their family and build a quality family tradition.”
A 4- or 5-foot tree starts at $39.50 at the Owasso farm and $50 at Crisp in Bixby.
“Christmas should be accessible for everyone, and a family tradition should be accessible for everyone, so we try to keep our costs as low as possible,” Horry said. “There truly is a tree for every price point.”
The bigger the tree, the more you’ll pay. For example, a 15-foot Nordmann fir will cost about $650 at the Owasso farm.
Both farms grow their own trees and bring in trees from other farms, which cost them more this year in shipping. Crisp says he spent 15% more bringing in trees this year, while Horry says it added a few extra bucks to each tree.
After the holidays are over, Owasso Christmas Tree and Berry Farm will donate any trees people return to local fishermen for their fish habitats, Horry added. Both farms say sustainability is one of the major reasons to buy a real tree instead of an artificial one this year.
“We always like to joke that it’s Christmas, you should keep it real,” Horry said.
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