Where To Cut A Christmas Tree In 2023 In Merrimack

MERRIMACK, NH — It’s still early, but if you plan to put up a live Christmas tree this year, it’s a good idea to scope out what will be available from Merrimack area tree growers.

Here are a few places to start:

Live Tree Or Die Farm in Amherst

Sunny Valley Farms in Amherst

Beloin Tree Farm (at 125 Route 101A in Amherst, at the Mini Cooper Dealership in Bedford, and 412 West River Road in Hooksett

Bedford Fields in Bedford

Merrymac Christmas Tree Farm in Bedford

Joppa Hill Farm in Bedford

Noel's Tree Farm in Litchfield

Rotary Club of Merrimack

Hayward's Ice Cream in Merrimack

Miracle Acres Farm in Milford

Milford Rotary

North Pole Xmas Trees in Nashua

Hayward's Ice Cream in Nashua

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, primarily 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 nationwide.

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.