Where To Buy Or Cut A Christmas Tree Near Carlsbad

CARLSBAD, CA — It's still early, but if you're planning to put up a live Christmas tree this year, it's a good idea to scope out what will be available from Carlsbad area tree growers.

Whether you want to cut your own or pick one up from a lot, there are plenty of options for Christmas trees in San Diego County:

• Family Christmas Tree Farm: 300 Pepper Drive, El Cajon
• Highland Valley Christmas Tree Farm: 18425 Highland Valley Road, Ramona
• Julian Christmas Tree Ranch: 1464 Highway 78, Julian
• Mr. Jingles Christmas Trees: 2550 Fourth Ave., San Diego
• Mr. Jingles Christmas Trees: 3901 Clairemont Drive, San Diego
• Mr. Jingles Christmas Trees: 6710 La Jolla Blvd., La Jolla
• Oma's Family Farm: 14950 El Monte Road, Lakeside
• Pinery Christmas Trees: 1750 Camino Del Rio North, San Diego
• Pinery Christmas Trees: 5354 Sweetwater Road, Bonita
• Pinery Christmas Trees: 13421 Highland Valley Road, Escondido
• Pinery Christmas Trees: 14550 1/2 El Camino Real, Del Mar
• Pumpkin and Polar Palooza: 1200 Laurel Tree Lane, Carlsbad
• Purdy Tree Farms: 2525 El Camino Real, Carlsbad
• Purdy Tree Farms: 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar
• The Farm Stand West: 2115 Miller Ave., Escondido
• Tom's Adventures: 931 Grand Ave., San Marcos
• Tom's Adventures: 10510 Marauder Way, San Diego
• Valley View Christmas Trees: 4439 Genesee Ave., San Diego

Last year, the median price for trees purchased directly from a grower was about $93, according to PickYourOwnChristmasTree.org. About 26 million live trees were sold last year, compared to 27.4 million in 2018.

A survey by the American Christmas Tree Association, an industry trade group, shows that of the 94 percent of Americans who plan to put up a Christmas tree this year, 23 percent will display a live tree.

Last year, live tree prices increased about 10 percent, largely due to inflation and drought, according to industry experts.

Years of extreme weather — drought conditions in some parts of the country and excess moisture in others — are expected to translate to slightly higher 2023 Christmas tree prices, according to a report from Country Folks Grower, a business-to-business publication serving fresh market and ornamental crops.

"A lot can happen in a half dozen years that can change the outlook for a Christmas tree crop from one season to the next," the report said. "Farmers will be facing challenges in the 2023 Christmas tree season brought about by developments over the past several years."

At any given moment, about 350 million Christmas trees are growing on tree farms across the country.

It typically takes a tree between six and eight years to grow to the desirable height for decorating. Large trees — those 7 feet and taller — may be in short supply because sales of smaller trees have been strong in recent years, the report said. Also, people may need to settle for a different species than they're accustomed to buying.