Christmas Tree Trucking

Tis the season to be jolly… tra la la la la, la, la! Yes, it’s that time of the year once again! Christmas tree season is here!

However, have you given it a second thought to how your Christmas tree got from the plantation to the Christmas tree lot where you will buy it? It’s thanks to Christmas tree trucking!

Did you know that there are nearly 350 million Christmas Trees growing on Christmas Tree farms in the U.S. alone? All these trees are specifically planted by farmers for the Christmas season? But now, how do they get from the farmer to you?

Do you have any unanswered questions about the unusual subject of Christmas tree trucking? This article has all of the answers you’re looking for.

Truckers Help Santa Claus!

We often neglect to remember how much we rely on transportation to get all the goods we require. For example, truck drivers work extra hard during December and the months leading up to it to make sure that all of the goods we need for Christmas get to the shelves of our local stores.

Truckers play an essential role in making the holidays memorable – and it’s about much more than Christmas presents, whether it’s the gifts we buy, the food that brings families together for the holidays, or the decorated Christmas trees that adorn all our homes.

When Do They Start to Ship Real Christmas Trees?

Christmas tree season occurs every year in the U.S. from mid-November to late December.

Hotshot Christmas trees are mainly Douglas fir and Noble fir, to decorate their homes and businesses for Christmas. The National Christmas Tree Association reports that about 25 to 30 million real Christmas Trees are sold in the U.S. every year.

These Christmas trees are a legal crop specially grown by tree farms. Oregon is the most productive state in terms of tree production, followed by North Carolina and Michigan, respectively.

The trees are then transported throughout the United States and internationally every year from these states.

What’s So Special About Christmas Tree Transport?

Even though more and more Americans are purchasing artificial trees these days, huge sales of authentic trees continue to occur.

Real Christmas trees, well, are real! They are living plants. This necessarily requires the need for special shipping conditions. These special conditions are what make transportation more difficult.

To ensure safe delivery, Christmas trees must be transported either in refrigerated trucks or dry vans with temperature control.

In general, the primary goal when transporting firs and pines is to deliver them as quickly as possible. All the while taking into consideration the required environmental conditions at the time of delivery. Because these trees prefer a cold climate and high humidity, they should be immersed in water as soon as possible after delivery.

Given the need for moisture, the longer a tree must travel, the less likely it is to survive the trip in a saleable condition. This is true for both whole trees that will be replanted and for cut trees.

Because plants are responsive to weather conditions such as wind, rain, snow, and heat, flatbed trucks are not an option for long-distance transportation.

This is why it may be challenging to arrange Christmas tree shipping because many carriers are unwilling to accept responsibility and take care of the difficulties during the shipping process.

What Vehicles Are Used to For Christmas Tree Hauling-?

It is essential to use the proper transport. Here are a few guiding principles trucking companies use for Christmas tree shipping:

Most trucking companies keep away from flatbeds if they can help it. Flatbed trucks expose the trees to dust, wind, and adverse weather conditions if they are not adequately covered
Trees should be moved using a dry van or a refrigerated truck. Because the trees have been grown in cold climates, they are susceptible to overheating and drying out in a confined environment with no circulation
Trucking companies avoid shipments with three or more pickups or deliveries scheduled

Shipping live trees is a challenging task, with many operators refusing to take them at all. With limited capacity, it’s critical to find a shipping company that has the right equipment for the job at a reasonable price and delivers FTL Christmas trees.

What Are the Peak Shipping Times for Christmas Trees?

As discussed when it comes to Christmas trees, there are only a few weeks left of the best possible display value. Therefore, other factors such as weather and shipping method are important considerations.

Keep in mind that the source of a Christmas tree will decide the shipping timeframe and the equipment required to complete the job.

Shippers aiming to distribute more top-quality Christmas tree varieties to specific markets may want to consider accelerated services to reach a more extensive distribution network. As the calendar approaches Thanksgiving, it is customary for shoppers to begin making plans for their annual Christmas tree purchase.

The following are the times of harvesting of Christmas trees:

Mid-November is a good time to go tree shopping if you want a sturdy tree.
From late November onwards, shoppers hoping for fresh-cut trees to last several weeks
Beginning to mid-December – this is traditionally the final cut of the season

A real Christmas tree has a lifespan of approximately five weeks on average. Shoppers’ traditions influence their purchasing habits. These range from those who want the tree up as soon as possible to those who want it to twinkle and sparkle into the New Year.

Let’s Make December a Time to Remember!

As you can see, there is a lot involved with Christmas tree trucking! The shipping of a Christmas tree is expedited in nature. It takes a lot of logistics to handle the journey from fresh from the farm to the end location.

The hubbub of holiday preparations does not have to overpower the method of Christmas tree delivery. Count on our extensive network of carriers, who are well-versed in shipping routes across the country and make excellent Santa helpers!