Association expects Christmas tree sales to increase

ST. LOUIS -- Christmas tree growers expect to sell up to six million more real trees this year than last, according to a survey commissioned by the National Christmas Tree Association.

The St. Louis-based organization expects between 23 million and 28 million trees to be bought this year. Only 22.3 million trees were sold last year during a shortened holiday season. Thanksgiving last year fell on Nov. 28, the latest day possible.

"Thanksgiving is the typical starting gun for sales," NCTA president Jim Corliss said. "Thanksgiving is very late in November again this year and we know that consumers were affected by the closeness of Thanksgiving and Christmas last year. We expect to be a lot busier this year."

More than 30 million trees were sold every year between 1990 and 2000, with 27.8 million sold in 2001.

According to the surveys, people do have their reasons for passing on a tree.

"Most people that don't get anything at all say it's because they're not home for the holidays or because they don't have any kids at home," said Rick Dungey, spokesman for the association.