For readers who have not been living on a desert island, you all know that there is a current international problem with supply chains and supply and demand problems, largely due to the continued coronavirus pandemic. These problems lead to shortages of items on store shelves and higher prices for those that are available – two outcomes that are not making folks happy during the Christmas season.

Expert predictions have warned Georgia shoppers that they will really feel the pinch when it comes to buying Christmas trees. The tree shortage is compounded by the fact that last year was truly a record year for sales, as more people were staying home for the holidays due to travel restrictions. Many trees were cut a year earlier than they normally would have been to address the higher demand, and now sellers are feeling their loss. Tree farmers plant trees an average of eight to ten years before they are felled and sold, so catching up on supply can’t be rushed. Tree prices may also be up by 20% or more. Increased travel this holiday season may reduce demand slightly, but supply may not be able to keep up even so.

All this is a long way of saying that customers have been advised to purchase trees early this year. We’ve passed the “early” stage, as it’s less than two weeks until Christmas. However, we do have some good news for our faithful readers. Early Christmas sales were brisk at Rudy’s Happy Patch Market, as expected, but inventory was kept well-watered. Several trees are still available for customer selection. Last call: hurry on down!