After Thanksgiving, many people put up holiday decorations and some buy a real Christmas tree. About 25 to 30 million real trees are sold in the United States each year. Michigan is the third largest producer and growers send trees to local and national markets.
This year the market may change because the industry has record-high tariffs and other challenges that affect production. These issues could influence the cost of trees, but it is not yet clear how large the change will be in shops. Bill Lindberg with Michigan State University Extension gives practical information on industry trends, pricing and how to care for a natural tree at home.
Difficult words
- challenge — A difficult problem or situation to solve.challenges
- tariff — A tax on goods coming into a country.tariffs
- production — The process of making goods or services.
- educator — A person who teaches or gives instruction.
- care — The act of looking after something.
- healthy — Being in a good condition or state.
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think people prefer real trees over artificial ones?
- What are some challenges farmers might face today?
- How can someone choose the best Christmas tree for their home?
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