Bruce Wiseman planted Christmas tree seedlings on his Ridgefield property in 1980 and harvested his first Douglas firs in 1986. Not many years after, he allowed customers onto his 25 acres to cut their own trees.
A visit to The Tree Wisemans became a tradition for many people. Some even made it a habit to visit Christmas Eve.
But for the first time ever, Wiseman’s U-cut operation will be closed Christmas Eve. In fact, the Tree Wisemans posted this notice Saturday on their Facebook page: “CLOSED for the season! Hard to believe we are shutting down so early, but we’ve had amazing year and we were happy to greet so many old and new friends.”
Several factors have figured into a season of higher prices for consumers and reduced inventory for Clark County and other Pacific Northwest growers, industry observers say. A big factor has been the long reach of the Great Recession. That still-looming economic giant, along with changing climate conditions, foretell a similar scenario for Christmas 2019. At the same time, the live tree industry, as always, is casting a wary eye at its artificial tree competitors.
Did You Know?
According to the U.S. Census Bureau:
• The U.S. imported $1.5 billion worth of Christmas ornaments from China in 2016. China accounted for 92 percent of the U.S. total imports of Christmas ornaments that year.
• The U.S. imported $463.2 million of Christmas tree lights from China in 2016. China accounted for 88.1 percent of the total U.S. imports of Christmas tree lights.
• The were 572 locations nationwide in 2015 that primarily produced dolls, toys and games in 2015, an increase of 12 locations from 2014; they employed 6,394 workers in 2015, an increase of 179 employees from 2014. California led the nation with 90 establishments.
Wiseman, a longtime veteran of the industry, marveled at the soon-to-be-completed season. (He has some pre-cut trees still for sale.)
“We have never closed until the 24th,” he said, sounding as surprised as anyone by the statement.
Wiseman and others pointed to the recession years, starting in 2008, as a great winnowing process for the growers. Pre-recession, there were 500 to 600 members of the Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Association. The organization, of which Wiseman has been a board member, has about half that today.
Many growers faced prices during the recession that barely paid or did not cover the costs of growing a tree, an endeavor that takes from six to eight years depending on the species. At the same time, the number of nurseries growing seedlings was cut back. Meanwhile, land values have increased steadily on parcels that used to be used exclusively for agriculture.
“Just look at Clark County,” Wiseman said, having stopped his tractor to carry on a cellphone conversation. “Ridgefield, Battle Ground, all over.”
Wiseman said prices charged at his tree farm and others, particularly for association members who shared their plans with each other toward the end of the summer, reflected a recovery from fallout from recession and post-recession years.
A 6-foot noble fir could have been purchased for $45 to $58, reflecting the seven to nine years it takes to grow the sturdy-limbed tree with the most consumer demand. However, Wiseman — again, like other growers — shut down his noble fir stock to cutting a week ago, concerned that there would not be enough trees for next year and years after. Douglas or grand firs under 7.5 feet could have been purchased for $35.
Wiseman can see three stumps near some standing trees, reflecting his replanting practices. But that was challenged more this summer than any other he can remember.
Prolonged dry spells killed about 20 percent of seedlings planted, he said. Other Oregon and Washington growers have reported similar experiences.
Meanwhile, there’s a reduced number of nurseries where growers can obtain seedlings, said Bob Moore, vice president of Lewis River Restoration Inc. in Woodland. Growers who’ve not already lined up a seedling supply for next year may be out of luck, Moore said.
“The closure of other nurseries has limited supplies,” said Moore, which sells a tiny fraction of its 4.5 million annual seedling production to Christmas tree farmers.
While tight supply and increasing prices might sound ideal for a seller, the industry remains concerned about competition from the artificial tree industry, said Casey Grogan, a Silverton, Ore., tree farmer and president of the Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Association.
“We’re trying to change the public’s perception of real trees,” Grogan said “We’re trying to get the word out that real trees are a good environmental choice compared to plastic trees made overseas in a factory.”
Christmas tree farmers, The Associated Press reported, have joined forces as the Christmas Tree Promotion Board and are running a social media ad campaign this holiday season to tout the benefits of a real evergreen. The campaign, called “It’s Christmas. Keep It Real!,” is funded by a 15-cent fee that tree farmers pay for each tree they harvest.
The conditions have combined for a sometimes frustrating shopping experience.
Even the likes of the director for WSU Clark County Extension, the agriculture resource and education agency, had a challenge finding a tree this year.
“We had to drive all over,” said Douglas Stienbarger. “We did get one. But I was really surprised.”
For some growers, this year’s prices merely reflected a balancing.
“Prices moved up this year a little bit,” said Phil Hunter, owner of The Wreath Works in Port Orchard. “It’s time they did. Our trees were too low to begin with for too long.”
And Hunter, a past president of the regional growers association, said the situation figures to be the same next year.
“There’s a huge tight supply on trees,” he said, noting the length of time to grow from seedling to stock. “This isn’t like growing lettuce. We can’t plant more trees this year and have them be ready next year.”
