“Want, don’t want, you have to wait until there is a big frost so that the tree falls into a dormant period, which allows you to cut it down and make it last until December,” says Charles Vaillancourt, president. of the Association of Christmas Tree Producers of Quebec.
However, retailers and resellers alike want to receive their Christmas tree deliveries earlier and earlier as many consumers are ready to decorate their homes for the holidays as early as mid-November.
The late frost, combined with the early demand for natural fir trees, is putting pressure on local producers. Especially since the heat of recent months has not allowed them to get ahead.
“Year after year, the window gets smaller. Producers are forced to bring in more foreign workers to be able to carry out the most tasks, but in less time,” puts forward Mr. Vaillancourt, who is also at the head of Valfei productions in Estrie.
This is not without effect on your bill. A jump of 3 to 5% in the price of natural fir trees is visible this year.
“It’s not to make more money. This is to counter the increases we have on our side. It takes more equipment, more foreign workers and more houses to accommodate them. These are costs that we have to pay,” he whispers.
Be ready
This signal is not alarming for Stéphan Perreault, owner of the plantations that bear his name in Val-Joli in Estrie.
“We can cut later than them, because we have fewer fir trees,” suggests the man who only grows a small quantity of trees sold for U-pick and export to the United States.
The fact remains that he was forced to put his activities on hold for a few days, when the mercury exceeded 15 degrees Celsius.
Stéphan Perreault indicates that it is difficult to be responsive to the market given that 10 years pass between sowing and cutting. (Plantations Stéphan Perreault)
The latter admits it. No matter the temperature, you have to be prepared to sell trees. “We feel that there is pressure in the market. People want their tree early,” Mr. Perreault also observes.
He also offers more heat-resistant species such as Fraser fir and Korean fir to customers who rush in the month of November. “Later in the season is the perfect time to put up a balsam fir,” he says, pointing out its greater fragility.
As for Nathalie Audet, co-owner of the family business Sapin Stoneham in Quebec, the enthusiasm was felt as soon as her kiosk opened on November 23.
And even before. “We received the delivery on November 16. It’s certain that the regular customer has already come to pick up their tree,” says the woman who has been in business for three years.
The creation of a TikTok account by his son, Arnaud, helped to raise awareness of the small company, which sells some 450 trees.
Fundraising campaigns and second booth: Arnaud has ideas of grandeur for the family business Sapin Stoneham. (Sapin Stoneham)
“I’m afraid we’ll run out of it this year. Since it’s there, it’s going so well,” notes the 16-year-old, who also launched a tree sale for the benefit of his high school graduates.
“It’s a demanding period from October to the end of December. You shouldn’t count your hours in a company like that,” adds Ms. Audet, who is keen to teach her three children the values of work.
WILL THE TAX HOLIDAY DELAY THE SALE OF NATURAL FIRST?
The federal government announced a two-month GST/HST pause starting December 14. Natural fir trees are part of the list of products affected by this exemption.
For Stéphan Perreault, this holiday from the 5% goods and services tax will have very little impact. Apart from “causing problems for traders” who must remove it, he whispers.
Moreover, Mr. Perreault notes that his sales are higher than on the same date. A sign that consumers will not delay decorating to save a few dollars.
“Normally, the majority of our trees are sold. After December 14, they are the latecomers.”
— Stéphan Perreault, producer
As for the Quebec Christmas Tree Producers Association, the president hopes that this tax holiday will not change the purchasing habits of Quebecers.
“I hope people don’t wait until December 14 to pick up their Christmas tree. Otherwise, classes will be very full. There’s going to be a crazy sales weekend,” he imagines.
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