By Angela Brown

Real Christmas trees sold out in North Battleford

Dec 17, 2018 | 4:45 PM

With just over a week to go before Christmas, North Battleford shoppers hoping to pick up a real tree before the big day and haven’t already may be out of luck.

Canadian Tire North Battleford general manager Kelly Brisebois said sales have been steady, and his supply of real trees sold out last Sunday.

“As far as I know, not a single person in town has any,” he said, adding he is aware that Canadian Tire and Discovery Co-op were the only two local retailers selling them.

“We didn’t know that going in, otherwise we would have ordered more,” he added.

The store ordered 130 trees, 30 more than last year, but they only lasted for about three weeks. Last year, the store had some left over.

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He said the trees his store received this year were exceptionally tall and attractive so that may have also been a factor in boosting sales. 

Discovery Co-op’s Home Centre and Lumber was also selling real trees but likewise ran out of stock.

Manager Wes Poffenroth said it was a bit of a surprise to see all the trees gone, adding the store also brought in more trees than last year to meet the demand.

But not all hope is lost for last minute arbour hunters.

Geordie McKay, a wholesaler who operates a tree farm in the area, said he will be providing the Co-op with about 20 or 30 more real trees late Tuesday afternoon, but after that, there won’t be any more available. 

He said this will be the fifth time he resupplied the Co-op in North Battleford with trees this year.

McKay, who has supplied trees to the city for about 35 years, plus provides to more than 110 communities in the province, said trees are sold out everywhere. He said there appears to be a shortage across North America, believing it may be due to the fact many tree growers are leaving the business.

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW