Where to go for cut-your-own Christmas trees this year
It’s the most wonderful time of year for the local Christmas tree trade.
Boston University business professors Jay L. Zagorsky and Patrick Abouchalache researched the economics behind the holiday tree trade.
According to the Department of Agriculture, there are nearly 3,000 Christmas tree farms across the U.S..
These tree farms sell around 12 million trees every year.
Research showed that a live evergreen can cost as much as $100 in the country because running a Christmas tree farm isn’t as profitable as you’d think.
It takes ten years to grow a pine tree big enough for sales at Christmas, according to the research found by Zagrosky and Abouchalache.
Almost 500 U.S. Christmas tree farms shuttered between 2014 and 2019, and more people opt for an imported artificial tree rather than a live tree.
Why Christmas trees are so expensive
Last year, wholesalers importing entire shipping containers paid $22 for each artificial tree on average, according to U.S. government statistics.
Importers of natural trees paid roughly the same price. Artificial and genuine importers paid over half a billion dollars for trees to sell in 2022.
There are no official statistics on how much Americans pay for Christmas trees at the retail level. There’s a consensus that artificial trees cost more than natural trees, but the extra money may be worth it because they last more than one season.
If you’re ready to cut your own tree, read the U.S. Forest Service’s advice for keeping safety in mind.
In Ohio, residents are not allowed to cut their own trees or firewood in state parks, but several farms let customers see their pine trees to bring home.
Where can you cut your own Christmas trees in the Mahoning Valley?
There are a few Christmas tree farms in Mahoning, Columbiana and Trumbull counties.
Visit Pioneer Trails Tree Farm in Poland through Dec. 23. There are 35 acres of trees to explore on the family-owned tree farm, according to the website.
Visit the Pioneer Trails Tree Farm at 4222 Center Road in Poland, or check the Facebook page for more information about trees and gift shop sales.
Another Poland family runs Fodor Tree Farm, suspended sales for the season.
Learn more about the Fodor family business.
The Wilcox Christmas Tree Farm is a cut-your-own tree farm in North Lima, but they’re currently sold out of these.
Some pre-cut trees are available on the lot and a gift shop at the farm, located at 11400 Woodworth Road.
A few more small businesses are selling Christmas trees Near the Mahoning Valley:
- Stepuk Tree Farm at 10700 Washingtonville Road in Canfield; call (330) 533-3770
- McConnell’s Nursery at 836 Cleland Mill Road in New Castle, Penn.; open at 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and at noon - 5 p.m. on Sundays through Christmas Eve; more information is available online
- Wintergreen Tree Farm at 3898 Winchell Rd in Mantua open at noon every day until Dec. 22; more information is available online
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