SHORTAGE OF CHRISTMAS TREES THIS YEAR

THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST CHRISTMAS TREE ASSOCIATION SAYS THERE IS A TREE SHORTAGE ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THE ORGANIZATION BLAMES THE GREAT RECESSION IN 2008. THEY SAY THERE WAS OVERSUPPLY ABOUT 10 YEARS AGO AND GROWERS PLANTED FEWER TREES TO SAVE MONEY. THE EFFECTS OF THAT ARE NOW BEING FELT AROUND THE COUNTRY. THE ASSOCIATION WARNS SHOPPERS CAN NOW EXPECT FEWER TREES TO PICK FROM ... AND HIGHER PRICES FOR THE TREES THEY DO FIND. THEY SAY YOU COULD PAY TEN PERCENT MORE FOR A TREE THIS YEAR.