As the holiday season approaches, Americans are trading in their artificial Christmas trees for a more traditional look and feel. For farmers like Scott Powell of Dutchman Tree Farms in northern Michigan, tariffs on imported plastic trees have made real Christmas trees a more attractive option.
According to Powell, the majority of his farm's production will be shipped out this year, with over 500,000 real Christmas trees heading to homes across the country. While prices for these trees haven't increased, the cost of importing artificial trees has skyrocketed due to tariffs imposed by President Trump earlier this year.
The National Tree Company's CEO Chris Butler estimates that 85% of Americans still prefer artificial Christmas trees, but with prices rising between $10 to $15 per tree, it's becoming harder for his company to compete. Butler is now lobbying lawmakers to push for tariff relief, citing the need for exemptions for products like bananas and coffee, which are also subject to tariffs.
For some families, however, the benefits of real Christmas trees outweigh any potential cost increases. David Pena, who handpicked an 8-foot-tall Fraser pine at Dutchman Tree Farms, credits the scent of the tree with evoking memories from his childhood. "It's the smell and the joy of bringing that real tree into their home," says farmer Scott Powell. "That's what we're really selling."
As the holiday season gets underway, it seems that tariffs on artificial Christmas trees may have inadvertently made real trees more attractive to consumers. With prices remaining steady despite the tariff increases, farmers like Powell are banking on the nostalgic appeal of real Christmas trees to drive sales.
According to Powell, the majority of his farm's production will be shipped out this year, with over 500,000 real Christmas trees heading to homes across the country. While prices for these trees haven't increased, the cost of importing artificial trees has skyrocketed due to tariffs imposed by President Trump earlier this year.
The National Tree Company's CEO Chris Butler estimates that 85% of Americans still prefer artificial Christmas trees, but with prices rising between $10 to $15 per tree, it's becoming harder for his company to compete. Butler is now lobbying lawmakers to push for tariff relief, citing the need for exemptions for products like bananas and coffee, which are also subject to tariffs.
For some families, however, the benefits of real Christmas trees outweigh any potential cost increases. David Pena, who handpicked an 8-foot-tall Fraser pine at Dutchman Tree Farms, credits the scent of the tree with evoking memories from his childhood. "It's the smell and the joy of bringing that real tree into their home," says farmer Scott Powell. "That's what we're really selling."
As the holiday season gets underway, it seems that tariffs on artificial Christmas trees may have inadvertently made real trees more attractive to consumers. With prices remaining steady despite the tariff increases, farmers like Powell are banking on the nostalgic appeal of real Christmas trees to drive sales.
. I mean, sure, tariffs have made it harder for companies that import artificial trees to stay in business, but they've also given farmers like Scott Powell a chance to shine 
. It's all about perspective and finding the silver lining in a situation that could have gone either way. And let's be real, there's something special about bringing a real tree into your home, feeling that fresh scent and connection to nature... it's what makes the holiday season so magical 
! I mean, who needs a fancy-schmancy artificial tree when you can have the smell and feel of a real one? 
My aunt used to buy these huge pine trees from this one farm in Michigan and it would literally fill up our whole house with that amazing scent. Now she's all about getting her tree from that Dutchman Tree Farms too, and I'm like "Girl, you're so smart!" 
The prices might be the same, but let's be real, the nostalgia factor is where it's at! My fave thing is when they start decorating with lights and garlands... it's like a whole new world 
I'm so done with these tariffs 
! First it's wine, then coffee... now it's Christmas trees?! 
What's next? Farmers are going to start complaining about tariffs on avocado toast 
But for real, can't we just chill and let the farmers do their thing? The smell of a real tree is everything, fam! I mean, who needs some fancy-schmancy artificial tree when you got that fresh piney scent in your face? 
, i mean who knew that importing fake Christmas trees could be so expensive? 
now it's all about the old-school charm of real trees and the nostalgic feelings they bring back 
but for farmers like Scott Powell, this is a win-win situation - higher demand means more sales 
it's the little things in life that make all the difference during the holidays 
. Those artificial trees may be cheap, but they're also made from non-biodegradable stuff that's gonna end up in landfills eventually. At least real Christmas trees can be recycled or composted after the holiday season is over 
.