Country Mouse Farm is a local Christmas Tree Farm in Cypress County. Farmers Gerald and Erika Bodnaruk say they have plenty of supply for people looking to find a nice tree this Christmas (Tiffany Goodwein/CHATNewsToday)

By Tiffany Goodwein

‘Oh Christmas Tree’: Where to find the perfect tree amid reported shortages at retailers

Nov 14, 2021 | 6:36 PM

CYPRESS COUNTY, AB- At Country Mouse Farm, Gerald and Erika Bodnaruk are gearing up for their season opener. For five years the Bodnaruk’s have been selling U-cut Christmas trees at their farm located on Range Road 61.

The farmers say this year they are preparing for a great harvest thanks to a strong growing season, and irrigation to get the trees through the hot dry summer.

But the same can’t be said elsewhere. In fact, finding a perfect Christmas tree at some big box stores may be difficult this year. Recently IKEA Canada announced on their website that they won’t be selling live Christmas trees due to a supply shortage.

Erika Bodnaruk said the shortage that is being felt across Canada and the United States is due to a number of factors, predominantly weather.

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“ We do know that there has been some bad frost back in 2018 in Nova Scotia that killed a lot of the buds because it was in June and we have heard in Quebec that the same thing happened this past spring where the buds got frozen,” she said.

The average Christmas Tree takes eight to 10 years to grow to the standard height of six feet. Excess frost or too much heat can stunt the growth of trees, which takes them longer to reach their ideal height, Bodnaruk said.

But it is not just weather impacting supply. The U.S economic collapse dating back to 2008 is also playing a role.

“ There were a lot of farms that couldn’t operate anymore because the economy crashed and the Christmas tree live market also suffered a lot. There were a lot of farms that went bankrupt and didn’t plant for up to three years, and now those plantings from 2008 to 2011, that is when they would be for sale now,” Gerald Bodnaruk said.

Hatters looking to find a real Christmas tree are advised to get them while they can if they spot them at a major retailer. If none are available, Bodnaruk said their farm has plenty of supply available for the community.

Their season-opening is scheduled for November 27 to 28 and again on December 4 and 5. Visitors to the tree farm will receive a wagon ride, ginger snap cookies, and a picture with their newly cut tree.