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Christmas tree shortage

Learn a little more... with a link!

Learn how the recession caused the tree shortage.

 

Play some fun holiday games!

Learn more about Hanukkah traditions.

Read the script...

JACQULYN: MOST YEARS, IT CAN BE A LITTLE TABOO TO BUY A CHRISTMAS TREE BEFORE IT'S EVEN THANKSGIVING.

MOLLY FOX/AUSTIN RESIDENT: "IT'S NEVER TOO EARLY AT OUR HOUSE."

KATE FOX/AUSTIN RESIDENT: "NEVER TOO EARLY!"

BUT THIS YEAR - THE "CAN'T WAIT FOR CHRISTMAS" TYPES HAVE THE RIGHT IDEA.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN PAPA NOELS 37 YEARS OF BUSINESS...

JIMMY COAN/OWNER OF PAPA NOEL: "THERE'S JUST NOT ENOUGH CHRISTMAS TREES TO GO AROUND."

OWNER JIMMY COAN EXPLAINS A TIGHT ECONOMY AND LESS DEMAND FOR REAL TREES A DECADE AGO HURT THE INDUSTRY.

JIMMY COAN/OWNER OF PAPA NOEL: "MANY FARMERS IN THE NORTHWEST WENT OUT OF BUSINESS DURING THE RECESSION."

NOW -

VOICE OF JIMMY COAN/OWNER OF PAPA NOEL: "WE'RE SEEING THE REPERCUSSIONS OF TREES NOT GOING INTO THE GROUND."

COAN SAYS HE USUALLY SHIPS IN A FEW THOUSAND TREES FROM OREGON AND WASHINGTON... TO SELL AT HIS SIX LOTS AROUND AUSTIN.

BUT WITH SUPPLIES CUT THIS YEAR - HE COULD ONLY GET 500.

HE'S IMPORTING AS MANY OTHERS AS HE CAN FROM NORTH CAROLINA, BUT -

JIMMY COAN/OWNER OF PAPA NOEL: "EVERYONE IN THE MARKET IS GONNA RUN OUT OF TREES THIS YEAR."

JACQULYN POWELL/AUSTIN, TX: "DON'T LET THE LOOKS OF THIS LOT RIGHT NOW FOOL YOU. EVEN THOUGH IT'S FULL OF TREES TODAY, COAN SAYS BY THE END OF THE WEEK IT COULD BE LOOKING SPARSER, BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE CATCHING WIND OF THE SHORTAGE."

JIMMY COAN/OWNER OF PAPA NOEL: "ON SOME LOCATIONS WE PROBABLY WILL NOT HAVE ENOUGH TREES TO GET THROUGH MONDAY."

PAPA NOEL WILL RE-STOCK ITS LOTS AS LONG AS POSSIBLE.

BUT AS SUPPLY THINS OUT...AND DEMAND DRIVES UP PRICES--

JIMMY COAN/OWNER OF PAPA NOEL: "DON'T WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE."