"Growers Grateful for Higher Christmas Tree Prices"

"DES MOINES, Iowa — Christmas tree likely will cost a little more this year, and growers like John Tillman say it's about time.

Six years of decreased demand and low prices put many growers out of business. Those who withstood the downturn are relieved they survived.

"I'm awful proud to still be in the Christmas tree business," said Tillman, who ships up to 20,000 trees each fall from nine fields south of Olympia, Washington. "We lost a lot of farmers who didn't make it through."

Prices vary according to the variety of tree, but growers this year will see about $20 per tree, $2 more than the last several years, according to Bryan Ostlund, executive director of the Salem, Oregon-based Pacific Northwest Tree Association. Prices will likely rise as the holidays near and supply decreases."

The Associated Press had the story November 28, 2014.