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Supply Chain Crisis Causes CNY Christmas Tree Shortage Supply Chain Crisis Causes CNY Christmas Tree Shortage

Artificial trees are stuck overseas due to congested Chinese ports.

By Alex Malanoski

Trees with signs and money values on them.
© 2021 Alex Malanoski

Tyler O’Neill: With Christmas only a few weeks away, many Central New Yorkers are gearing up to find the perfect tree. N-C-C News reporter Alex Malanoski joins us live to tell us how options might be limited if a certain type of tree is at the top of your list.

Alex Malanoski: Central New Yorkers who want to rock around a real tree will have no problem finding one at Chuck Hafner’s in North Syracuse, but General Manager Jennissa Hart says artificial trees are a different story.

Jennissa Hart: “The artificial tree forest that we call it in the store is selling down fast and we don’t have any trees to restock, so if you’re looking, come now.”

Malanoski: The reason for this shortage—congested ports in China. Syracuse University Professor of Supply Chain Practice Patrick Penfield says many of the trees normally transported by ship are still seven-thousand-miles away.

Patrick Penfield: “They’ll tell ya it’s been very difficult for them to try to ship stuff over, in fact, a lot of them have inventory that’s just sitting there.”

Malanoski: Penfield says he expects artificial trees to be in short supply until the pandemic is under control. Reporting live in-studio, Alex Malanoski, N-C-C News.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — With Thanksgiving behind them, many Central New Yorkers are untangling those pesky lights and beginning the search for the perfect Christmas tree. Chuck Hafner’s in North Syracuse has been a go-to spot during the holiday season for decades. The tree supplier usually has plenty of natural and artificial trees for sale.

But this year, Jennissa Hart, general manager, said Chuck Hafner’s is experiencing a major shortage in the supply of artificial trees. 

“We have a much smaller selection than we normally do, and we were very busy very early on,” Hart said. “So, the artificial tree forest that we call it in the store is selling down fast and we don’t have any trees to restock, so if you’re looking, come now.”

The cause of this shortage is congested ports in China. Patrick Penfield, professor of supply chain practice at Syracuse University, said many of the trees normally transported by ship are still 7,000 miles away. 

“They’ll tell ya it’s been very difficult for them to try to ship stuff over, in fact, a lot of them have inventory that’s just sitting there,” Penfield said.

Chuck Hafner’s grows its own fresh-cut trees specifically for Central New York, so Hart said the business will have plenty of natural options available. However, those options will come at a cost. Both natural and artificial trees are seeing an uptick in price due to high inflation.

Despite all the changes, Hart said the business will continue to focus on the aspects it can control. 

“Through the increases and shortages we just will remain consistent in providing a good experience, and we’re a place that you can count on for a quality product and quality service,” Hart said. 

Penfield said he expects artificial trees to be in short supply until the pandemic is completely under control.

The Christmas room and greenhouses at Chuck Hafner’s in North Syracuse, N.Y.

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