Last Updated on October 30, 2021
Local media outlets across at least four states are warning residents that the crippled supply chain and lackluster economy may result in a shortage of Christmas trees in time for the “dark winter” Joe Biden predicted.
California, Wyoming, and Iowa are all facing potential shortages of live Christmas trees with little time before the season begins.
In California, a Sacramento TV station attempted to couch the bad news by assuring readers that Thanksgiving would be unaffected. However, the CBS affiliate ultimately admitted that Christmas trees have been “impacted by supply chain delays, droughts, fires” and other calamities amid increased demand.
In Iowa, KIWA Radio reported that “finding the perfect Christmas tree could be a challenge this year with a developing tree shortage” and interviewed the former president of the Iowa Christmas Tree Association who warned that tree farms across the state will face shortages this Christmas.
Wyoming news website Cowboy State Daily described the tree shortage as a national concern, but insisted that the state’s shortage is primarily due to a cold snap early this year.
Meanwhile, Just The News warns that the shortage may not be limited to live trees, and artificial trees may face shortages due to the ongoing shipping crisis in California. “Artificial trees,” the outlet warned, “may also be in short supply as the Christmas season looms due to shipping delays at various ports around the country.”
This seems to already be the case in Wisconsin, where NBC 26 warns its viewers that “Supply chain issues and inflated shipping costs are causing a shortage of artificial trees at local stores.” Apparently, Wisconsinites will also have a smaller selection of artificial trees to choose from due to the supply chain crisis.
While Americans are expected to be able to locate the accoutrements of a traditional Thanksgiving this year, the cost is expected to be far from normal.
In fact, one former Trump administration experts says Americans should expect this Thanksgiving to be the most expensive in the nation’s history, due to a combination of factors including inflation and rising fuel prices.
