Winnipeg Christmas tree supply to meet demand this year despite North American shortage: supplier

Ray Dubois of Ron Paul Garden Centre in Winnipeg said though warm weather caused a delay, he got his first shipment of Christmas trees Tuesday and expects supply will meet demand.

Despite a North America-wide shortage, there should be enough Christmas trees to go around this year, says a Winnipeg Christmas tree retailer.

Ray Dubois of Ron Paul Garden Centre said he got his first shipment of trees Tuesday morning – about a week later than in previous years. Warm weather in Quebec, which is where his supply comes from, pushed back the harvest.

“They have to be dormant,” Dubois said. “If they’re actively pushing and you (cut them down), you’re going to have problems with needle drop.”

Last year’s live tree shortage pushed up prices across the country, Dubois, says, but he expects a more balanced market this year. He attributes the surge to the pandemic – with fewer people travelling for the holidays, more were inclined to choose a live tree.

“That first year of COVID, demand was through the roof,” he said. “I think we sold out by Dec. 1, which had never happened.”

The trees come to Dubois individually wrapped. Dubois and his team take off the binding and “fluff’ the trees, then stand them up so customers can pick their favourite.

“Some people like fat trees, some people like skinny trees, some people like taller – there’s all sorts of manners that people like,” he said.

The balsam and Fraser fir trees take about seven years to reach “Christmas tree” height of six to eight feet. Dubois says he sorts his trees by type and size as well as by looks. Some people come looking for the “ugly” trees, which he keeps aside especially for those customers.