It's September, and yet Christmas trees are selling out already, according to one viral TikTok. In the trending video, Brooke Lynn claims that her local Costco is already out of trees, urging shoppers to buy their trees from Costco before they sell out closer to the holidays.
Gallery: These Viral TikTok Trends Cleared Store Shelves
Lynn, who eventually finds a tree in the video, also cites Costco's low prices and generous return policy as other reasons to shop for trees at the wholesaler. Artificial trees range from $110 to $700 on Costco’s website — if you can get your hands on one.
Feeling a sense of déjà vu? That’s because a perfect storm of supply chain troubles, climate change-induced drought, and high demand led to a shortage of real and artificial Christmas trees in 2021.
@brooke_lynnmilne I hate to be this person but if you're looking for a Christmas tree now is the time or it will 10000% be sold out #costco #costcofind #costcohaul #christmas ♬ original sound - Brooke Lynn
In mid-November last year, a top importer and Christmas tree wholesaler, Chris Butler, also urged consumers to buy trees early, telling CNBC that shelves would be empty by Thanksgiving. Shoppers may face similar issues in 2022, especially when it comes to real trees, as farmers have already begun to echo last year’s supply chain and drought concerns.
In an interview with WYMT, a local outlet in eastern Kentucky, Christmas tree farmer Tom Nieman said that problems with distribution may lead to a limited selection this year.
“There is no shortage. The problem is some of the distribution. Some areas are not going to get as many trees as they did before. It’s because of trucking and that sort of thing,” Nieman told WYMT, adding that consumers should start looking for trees now.
While there might not be a shortage in Kentucky, local media have reported on multiple live Christmas tree shortages in regions affected by drought, including New Jersey and Massachusetts.
“These last two months, July and August, have been horrendous really. Feels like Phoenix, and they don't grow Christmas trees in Phoenix," Bill Kohl, who runs a farm in New Jersey, told WNBC. "The color isn't as deep as it should be, a little deeper green ... we need a good spring rain, a couple days then every other day would be really good."
@tevin_wooten Extreme heat has brought about one of the worst droughts in Massachusetts state history. We came across tangible evidence at this Christmas tree farm. This week on @NBC10 Boston I’ll taking a look at how #climatechange has state’s farmers are adapting for the sake of the fir! #christmas #Massachusetts #Climate #wildweather #trending #fyp viral #discover ♬ The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You) - Nat King Cole Trio
In Massachusetts, where Richard Robinson runs a cut-your-own tree farm, conditions are similarly dry and hot, endangering much of Robinson’s crop.
“I blame climate change,” Robinson told MassLive. “I grew up here in Eastern Massachusetts and this kind of prolonged, intense heat layered on top of the drought (is) absolutely unknown, and I’m 66.”