Christmas trees and tree farms in good supply locally, but shorages elsewhere

Christmas tree lots are starting to get a lot of activity locally, but in some areas of the state, there are fewer choices.

That’s because some operators are not opening after they got out of the business in recent years due to an increase in trees and a drop in the profit margin. It is still unknown if that will mean a tree shortage.

For now at Toddies Christmas Tree farm in Santa Barbara there’s not only a good first shipment, but also deliveries scheduled in the next few weeks to keep a fresh selection on the lot.

Operators are also working together. “Everybody’s calling everybody. If you’re short of this, I have too many of this, we work together,” said 22 year operator Todd Yuhasz.

His lot is located in the parking lot at the Santa Barbara Bowl. . He says Douglas Firs are slightly cheaper than the Noble Firs but the best way to buy is to have a budget and also a size in mind. The staff can check the lot for the right tree whether you live in an apartment or a mansion. The Noble fir is about $10. a foot and the price has been consistent at most lots for years. Large trees are always the right fit for some homes. “We sell so many small trees, five to six footers. People put them on a table in the house and they look like a big tree when it is on top of a table. Across the room in front of the window. It doesn’t take that much to decorate it, which is a lot of work,” said Yuhasz. Some of the larger trees to arrive have already been paid for and delivered to banks, and restaurants in Santa Barbara. Some of the tree lot closures have been noticed in communities outside of Los Angeles County.