Explore the world's largest auction of Christmas trees, the critical shortage of trees in the country, and the hosts' journey to sell trees in New York City. They learn about negotiating tree prices, resort to desperate measures, and discuss the financial results and market conditions.
The economics of the Christmas tree market have been significantly impacted by the Great Recession, leading to a shortage of trees today.
The world's largest Christmas tree auction in Pennsylvania showcases the competitiveness of the market and the increasing demand for large, high-end trees.
Deep dives
The Economics of Christmas Trees
The podcast episode explores the economics of the Christmas tree market. It discusses how the Great Recession affected the industry, leading to a shortage of trees today. The episode visits the world's largest auction of Christmas trees in Pennsylvania, where buyers and sellers come together to determine prices. It explains that the prices of trees have been increasing due to various factors, including inflation and supply constraints. However, the podcast suggests that the average price of a Christmas tree is expected to remain around $80. Overall, the episode provides insights into the complexities and dynamics of the Christmas tree market.
The Impact of the Great Recession
The podcast highlights the impact of the Great Recession on the Christmas tree market. During that time, the landscaping business declined, leading farmers to cut and sell those trees as Christmas trees. This flooded the market and resulted in low prices. Many tree farmers went out of business, causing a shortage of trees today. The episode highlights the challenges faced by farmers during that period and their resilience in continuing to grow trees for the future.
The Christmas Tree Auction
The podcast takes listeners to the world's largest Christmas tree auction in Pennsylvania. It describes the auction process, where farmers bring their trees from various regions and sell them to buyers who resell them in retail locations. The auctioneer sets the initial price to prime the pump, but the actual bidding determines the final price. The episode reveals the excitement and competitiveness of the auction, as buyers try to secure trees for their businesses. It also discusses the increasing demand for large, high-end trees and the potential for profit in that segment of the market.
'Tis the season for Americans to head out in droves and bring home a freshly-cut Christmas tree. But decorative evergreens don't just magically show up on corner lots, waiting to find a home in your living room. There are a bunch of fascinating steps that determine exactly how many Christmas trees get sold, and how expensive they are.
Today on the show, we visit the world's largest auction of Christmas trees — and then see how much green New Yorkers are willing to throw down for some greenery. It's a story where snow-dusted Yuletide dreams meet the hard reality of supply and demand. We've got market theory, a thousand dollars in cash, and a "decent sized truck"... anything could happen.
This episode was produced by James Sneed. It was edited by Bryant Urstadt. It was engineered by Gilly Moon. Alex Goldmark is Planet Money's executive producer.