Prices for artificial Christmas trees may be significantly higher this year due to tariffs

Numerous sources including the US Commerce Department, the REAL Christmas Tree Board, and Michigan Farm Bureau

November 18 - Based on the current outlook from wholesale growers, the average cost of a live Christmas tree in 2025 is expected to remain stable, likely falling in the typical range of $80 to $100 for a 6-foot tree.

Here's a breakdown of the forecast:

Stable Wholesale Prices: The Real Christmas Tree Board's annual survey indicates that a large majority of wholesale growers (around 84%) do not plan to raise their wholesale prices for the 2025 season.

Growers Absorbing Costs: Although input costs like labor and fertilizer have reportedly increased, growers are largely absorbing these increases rather than passing them on to retailers, which helps keep consumer prices steady.

Strong Supply: Growers are confident about the supply of real trees, with expectations of selling the same number or more trees compared to 2024.

Retailer Set Final Price: Keep in mind that the final price you pay is set by the retailer (tree lot, farm, big-box store) and can vary significantly based on the tree's size, species, quality, and your geographic location.

It's also worth noting that the stable price forecast for real trees contrasts with the outlook for artificial trees, which are projected to see a noticeable price increase (10% to 15% or more) due to tariffs and shipping costs, as most artificial trees are imported.

Prices for real, locally grown trees should be relatively stable this year. Image Credit - Mark Stebnicki

The vast majority of artificial Christmas trees sold worldwide are manufactured in China.

Dominant Producer: According to the U.S. Commerce Department, as much as 80% to 85% of artificial trees worldwide are produced in China.

Key Manufacturing Hubs: Much of this production is concentrated in the Pearl River Delta area and the city of Yiwu in the eastern province of Zhejiang, which is known for producing a large share of the world's Christmas goods.

Materials: These trees are primarily made from petroleum-based plastics, such as Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) and Polyethylene (PE).

While a few smaller, niche companies in the US and other countries like Poland produce artificial trees, the global market is overwhelmingly dominated by factories in China.