Tree troubles

MOSES LAKE – This year’s combination of wildfires, hot summer weather and supply chain issues have led to higher prices and even possible shortages at local Christmas tree lots.

TJ Wilson, store manager of North 40 Outfitters at 1147 W. Broadway Ave. in Moses Lake, said the store’s first year selling Christmas trees has been less than what he’d hoped. With the shortage of trees and the way the supply chain has been, he’s not seeing as much profit from tree sales as he’d wanted.

“For live plants, in general, you get anywhere between a 30% (profit margin) on some stuff with 50% on some other stuff,” Wilson said. “I was expecting around the 45-50%. We’re actually getting about a 20% (profit).”

Wilson said his supplier is traveling back and forth himself to the West Coast for stock and North 40 Outfitters hasn’t had a choice of trees to choose from, though he’s grateful his supplier is putting the work in to make a Christmas tradition happen for local families.

In the first week of sales, without advertising, Wilson said the store has sold about 20 trees. Once advertising is up, he expects to sell out quickly.

According to the website for his supplier, Country Cousins Farm in Othello, a Douglas fir sells for anywhere between $40 and $74, depending on height. Once it reaches a retailer, that price goes up to $60-$95.

R. Hans Miller can be reached via email at rmiller@columbiabasinherald.com.