Northside AIDS service nonprofit Caracole is hosting their super popular annual Christmas tree sale and fundraiser this year, but the tradition is facing some challenges in 2021.
In an email, Caracole says they'll only have about half of their usual tree haul due to this year's top holiday Grinch: supply chain issues. "We suggest visiting our sale early before supplies run out," they write.
Starting Black Friday, they'll be set up at Growing Trade Pet & Plant (3840 Spring Grove Ave.) in Northside. Hours for Nov. 26 are 11 a.m.-4 p.m. with hours 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays until the trees run out.
They'll have fraser and concolor firs; blue, white hill and black hill spruces; and scotch pines, all between 5 and 11 feet tall. In addition to trees, look for white pine garland, wreaths made of fraser fir or boxwood and Caracole-designed wrapping paper.
The Christmas tree sale benefits Caracole and their mission of "positively changing lives in the fight against HIV/AIDS" through prevention, housing and health care services. Learn more at caracole.org.
And Caracole isn't the only one feeling the strain of the supply chain this year.
Rossmann's Christmas Tree Farm in Blanchester said in a Facebook post that the farm won’t be opening for the 2021 season. They cite low tree inventory saying, “We don't feel we can adequately serve customers as we have in the past.”
Bartels Farm in Hamilton says on its website that it will only be open for three days in 2021 — Nov 26, 27 and 28 — and during those days, appointments will be required to get a fresh festive tree.
"We are working hard to increase our tree inventory and to navigate the nation-wide Christmas tree shortage," the farm said on its Facebook page.
Sizes of trees are limited at Shaker Tract Tree Farm in Harrison. According to the farm’s Facebook page, their season will be limited to five days — Nov. 26, 27 and 28 and Dec. 4 and 5 — and the selection will be limited to trees under 8 feet that will be priced at $10 a foot.
The American Christmas Tree Association (ACTA) reported that in 2020, of the 94 million American households that celebrated Christmas and had a tree in their home, 85% were artificial, and 15% were live. The association says similar demands are expected this year.
"In 2021, we’re seeing a variety of trends influencing artificial and live Christmas tree supply across the country, and are encouraging consumers to find their tree early this year to avoid shortage impacts," Jami Warner, executive director of the ACTA said on the organization's website. "If I can give one piece of advice to consumers right now, it is to find and buy your Christmas tree early."
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