Prices are rising for those who want a natural Christmas tree this year – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

A holiday tradition is boosting the Texas economy. According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, more than four million real Christmas trees are sold in Texas each year. But they are also becoming more expensive.

The American Christmas Tree Association reports that inflation and drought are driving up prices for consumers. Still, some families prefer to spend the extra greenery to continue holiday traditions.

Doug Brown and his family have always preferred a real Christmas tree.

“It’s amazing. I mean, just the smell takes you back to those few weeks around Christmas,” Brown said.

Brown has been returning to North Pole Farms for about five years. The tree lot is owned and operated by Dallas native Cassandra Cass and her husband.

“We are really proud of that. We receive our trees within a week of felling. We cut them fresh here on site,” Cass said.

For the past 14 years, Cass has sourced large trees from every state.

“We work with two small family businesses,” Cass said. “One is in Washington state and one is in North Carolina. And both are environmentally conscious farms. We work with small family businesses because they can really pay attention to their quality.”

The National Christmas Tree Association ranks Oregon, North Carolina, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Washington among the states with the highest Christmas tree production.

Brown said he can rely on North Pole Farms to help him find the perfect Christmas tree.

“I’m looking for a full-bodied tree that’s 8 or 9 feet tall,” Brown said. “We have a lot of jewelry.”

Andrew Firman, his wife Anne Firman and their two young daughters were thrilled to select their newly cut tree in North Dallas.

“We’re decorating the house right now and it’s just really exciting for them,” Anne said.

The Firman’s chose a 6-foot tree.

“We got a noble fir from the base of Mount Rainier, we were told,” Andrew said. “It literally passed the sniff test.”

According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, the nostalgic scent continues to be in demand. According to a 2022 economic study by the group, Christmas trees grown in Texas had a direct economic impact of $397 million and employed 3,896 people with a payroll of more than $97 million. A major economic boost despite ever-increasing costs for consumers.

“The trees have risen a little. But, you know, with normal inflation,” Cass said. “But it is shipping that has been the biggest driver of cost increases in recent years.”

This year, her customers can expect to pay between $15 and $40 more, depending on the tree. However, Firman’s and Brown said the price increase is to be expected and will not deter them from buying.

“They’re expensive, but it’s worth it for us, you know, because we’ll have them in our house the first few weeks of January,” Brown said. “You can’t expect it to be cost-effective for someone and make it so easy and convenient.”

“There’s something about the smell that transports you to Christmas that you can’t really replicate,” Andrew said. “It would take quite a bit of weight for us to consider getting an artificial Christmas tree.”

It’s a smell, Brown said, that’s worth the price.

“We have never gone to the artificial tree just because the smell makes a difference in the house every day.”

To find a Christmas tree farm in the area, click here.