One Major Sign of an Improving Economy

The sale of Christmas trees is a sign of a good robust economy. In the past six years I have seen first hand how the harvesting of Christmas trees is the first indicator of how the holiday sales for the season will pan out. I have watched the planting, harvesting and destruction of a crop of Christmas trees over the years. I am now witness to how this year's crop of harvested trees is showing what is happening to the economy.

I live in Oregon, the world's largest producer of Christmas trees. Just two properties over from me is a huge commercial Christmas tree growing operation. Most years I have seen the planting and harvesting of trees go on and I know when the trees are harvested and when they are planted. Harvesting of the trees usually takes place in mid November with most of the trees harvested before the Thanksgiving Day weekend. Two years ago, Christmas tree harvesting was limited to just a few days. That Christmas shopping season was terrible. Last year I barely saw any harvesting going on and local tree prices were around $5-$10 a tree. Holiday sales were not that good either.

This year is different. As I write this, I can hear the sound of three helicopters assisting with the harvest of the Christmas trees at the farm. Normally there is only one helicopter being used and another one replaces it after 4-5 hours of harvesting. Also this is a Sunday (November 28, 2010 to be exact) after Thanksgiving Day, which is rather late for harvesting in this area. There seems to be a mad rush to get these tree to market.....fast. I am betting that in other areas of the USA and in fact the world, there must be an increased demand for the trees this year.

My observations and theory about Christmas tree harvesting and the resulting holiday sales are simply educated guesses based on what I have witnessed in the past regarding tree harvesting. I can only say that this year looks like it will be a good one for sales.