Christmas tree sales in 2018 are up from last year, due to one group you may or may not expect to be interested in real trees– millennials. Tim O’Connor, executive director of the National Christmas Tree Association, points out that the transition to a younger customer is a critical part of today’s tree market. There are a few reasons why millenials have taken an interest in real trees, including their interest in “real” or natural items such as organic foods.
He also mentions the tendency of younger people to be concerned with environmental issues, as the Christmas tree industry makes great efforts to educate people about the sustainability of tree farms. Ken Reeves, the owner of Mountain Creek Tree Farm in Concord, Ohio, explains that millennials value “real” experiences, such as visiting a tree farm and chopping down a tree to celebrate the holidays. Of his 2,000 tree-inventory this year, 70 percent has sold this year, making for an impressive season.
