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Christmas tree shortage could raise prices this holiday season

NORTH ATTLEBORO, Mass. — A Christmas tree shortage across the country will affect the bottom line for tree farmers in New England - and it could make a difference for consumer's wallets, too.

Richard Miller, a farmer in North Attleboro, said the day after Thanksgiving is his biggest day of the year.

But Miller is nervous because this year - the trees are smaller and the supply isn't as big.

"The problem is, a lot of people want to come to a farm and cut their own," Miller said. "And our farm just can't keep up with the demand."

The shortage of Christmas trees this year has been caused by a few factors.

The drought killed off some of the seedlings, which prevents growth. It's also linked to the recession of 2008. Many farmers stopped planting trees - and that impact is finally catching up with farms this year.

But there's always a high demand of Christmas trees, so they're being shipped in from places like Maine and Nova Scotia.

And all of those factors mean prices will likely be higher this holiday season.