This holiday season is looking a little more bare.
According to Lawrence Alvis, Co-Owner of Santa's Tree Garden in Burlington, the 2008 recession is partly to blame.
"During the recession the demand went down for people purchasing trees and so they wanted to save a little money," Alvis said.
The average tree takes 10-to-12 years to grow to full height. Which means the trees that are being sold this year to bring the holiday spirit were grown at the height of the economic downfall.
"It’s just the ability to go out and find the trees to find suppliers to get our hands on them," Alvis said.
According to the National Christmas Tree Association, the average price of a Christmas tree has doubled from $36 in 2008 to $78 in 2018. Alvis said he does what he can to soak up the cost so his customers don't have to, but it's prickly business.
"Now that we’re all back together and everything’s good the economy’s good everybody wants their trees again," Alvis said. "But now we’re left with a shortage."
Tree farms could feel the effects of the recession for at least the next three years, according to Alvis, but that his farm should have enough supply to get through the holiday season.