Green Haven Garden Center is getting into the Christmas spirit. The store is opening its first Christmas tree of the season.
Six hundred balsam firs arrived at Karen Barbie’s business on Monday — ahead of last year’s delivery when shipping issues delayed their arrival.
“That’s much better,” said Barbie. “The biggest problem last year was finding trucking companies that would pick up the trees. This year, they’re on top of that.
Other Christmas greenery is also hitting the shelves.
Colin Jorgensen, owner of Blooms Flowers & Gifts, ordered a supply of poinsettias earlier than usual to avoid delays, as he’s seen in 2021, when flooding in B.C. added to transit challenges.
“Our suppliers have been supportive of us and have been proactive in allocating products appropriately,” Jorgensen said. “They started early this year so that we … won’t have the problem again this year.”
While local stores are solving shipping issues, other concerns are plaguing the industry: Rising costs are one of them.
Apart from the increase in prices, there is a shortage of Christmas trees for the second year in a row.
“They charge a lot for freight,” Barbee said.
And the supply of Christmas trees isn’t keeping up with the demand. Last year, Green Haven sold out the trees in just ten days and is expecting a similar growth this season.
“Our suppliers don’t let us increase our numbers, so we only have as many trees as we can each year,” Barbee said.
“There is an acute shortage of trees.”
The business owner suggests adding them to your Christmas decorations before December 25, as soon as the product arrives in stores.
“The sooner the better,” Jorgensen said. “It helps us if we have to order extra greenery.”
Christmas trees can also be cut on provincial crown land in Alberta’s forested area with a free permit. Permits and maps showing authorized harvest locations can be found on the province’s website.
© 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.