The Logistics Behind Supplying Large-Scale Christmas Trees

It’s also not so easy to get a really, really big Christmas tree to stores and cities. Spinning cables (one twisted over the other) is a lot of work, it’s all about planning and moving things in the right order. Here at Merry Tree, we understand the challenge of providing these huge trees during the busy Christmas season. Trees must be felled, bundled up and driven to a delivery place and then kept fresh after they arrive at homes or public gathering places across the country. Moving is a process that requires a lot of people working together, from the farmers who grow trees to the trucks you see lugging those trees down the road. Sometimes things do not go as planned the weather can delay trucks, or trees might be ruined if not handled with care. Over the years, we have learned a lot about how to ensure that these beautiful trees arrive safely and on time, so celebrations are joyous. It’s not simply a matter of moving trees, it’s about tending to those trees at every stage. 

Getting to Know the Wholesale Supply Line of Massive Christmas Trees

When you think about going out and getting a huge Christmas tree, you may assume one goes directly from the farm to your home. But there’s more to it! The wholesale supply chain is a series of relatively simple steps to move lots of trees from where they grew, or were processed, to wherever they will be sold or used. For one, farmers who plant Christmas trees invest years in taking care of their crop. These trees require room, water and time to reach their great height and generous girth. When the time is right, Merry Tree collaborates with these farmers to select strong, healthy trees. After harvest, trees do not move directly to buyers they typically are sent en masse to huge warehouses. Here, they are sized and graded. Every tree we inspect thoroughly because to sell a bad tree makes people unhappy.” Then the trees are packed in special ways to prevent them from losing their shape, or being damaged, during transportation. These trees are then trucked often hundreds of miles arriving with some “serious jet lag,” Dr. Bonfante said, unless they have been on ships. This is difficult, because the trees have to stay new, and the weather could change.” We try real hard always to make sure there is no glitch in the way plan our routes and timing. There are also instances when trees can get caught up in traffic or bad weather, and that can affect the quality of a tree. That is why Merry Tree uses special covers and cooling methods to keep trees fresh. Upon arrival, the trees go to stores or other locations that display them. Many people don’t know how many hands touch the tree before it arrives in their home. The supply chain requires teamwork, good timing and special handling. By degrees, we learned our lesson at Merry Tree: every step must be the right one. One misstep and the tree is either ugly or too late for Christmas. Having said that, it's really hard work managing such a big process but also incredibly rewarding when we have happy customers out there enjoying their perfect Christmas trees. 

Where to Find the Top Wholesale Christmas Trees for Sale in Bulk

Locating where to purchase the best Christmas trees in quantity isn’t as easy as it may seem. Merry Tree has worked diligently to locate the right places and partners who nurture strong, beautiful trees. Good trees don’t grow just anywhere, after all they need soil, weather and care. Some farms have perfect cold winters that make trees grow thick and green. Others have soil that will give the tree a foothold. Merry Tree knows which farms to trust because we have been to many, and learned what it takes for the farm to care as much about their trees as we do. It’s not just their relationship to the tree but also business practices at the farm. The ones that we pick are farms that practice good growing and handle trees with care. We also search for farms that can grow as many trees together at the same time. There are times a customer requires hundreds of big trees and not every farm can accommodate that order. So, a Merry Tree makes deals with farms that have large production capacity. One other thing that’s crucial is the proximity of farms to transportation routes. Cut trees need to be moved quickly, so farms located near highways or ports can also be preferable. Trees shipped a long distance can be costly and risky if the plan is not well thought through. We also consider how the trees are packed on the farms. Some farms wrap trees in special nets that protect branches when the trees are shipped. These particulars are important, it turns out, for the preservation of trees. Merry Tree has developed long standing relationships with trusted growers through the years. This allows us to get trees faster and with better quality. We’re doing farm inspections every year to make sure the standards are high and not falling. When there is a big order, we can easily reach out to the right farms and arrange shipments without any delay. It is this confidence and understanding that makes Merry Tree the best choice to provide your bulk deliveries of large Christmas trees. It’s a lot of work, but smart sourcing is the way to go. 

Logistics of Delivering Large Christmas Trees - What Makes Such Business Possible and Efficient 

It is not easy work for delivering large Christmas trees. Lots of factors determine how those big trees end up at stores or special events. First, the magnitude of tree really matters. Big Christmas trees can be tall and wide, so they require special trucks with which to transport their enormous bulk. When the tree is too gigantic, regular trucks might not be able to accommodate it so the delivery company has no choice but to take out a bigger truck or trailers specifically built for transporting bulky materials. The shape of the tree also can make it hard to carry in and out without breaking branches or messing up the tree’s form. 

Another large factor is the location of where trees are grown from where they are needed. If the trees are coming from far off, it can be many hours or even days. That means the trees should be fresh for the journey. Doing so may require trucks with special covers or cooling systems to guard trees against wind, heat or drying out. Drivers also must be mindful of avoiding rough roads or sudden stops that could damage the trees. 

The weather is a big factor, too. Roads are often icy or snow-covered in winter, which can make it more difficult and slower to deliver trees. Bad weather sometimes causes delays or is too dangerous to drive. Delivery teams also have to carefully map out routes and keep an eye on the weather, so that the trees arrive on time and in good condition. 

We gets all this at Merry Tree. We liaise with farmers and transport professionals to ensure handling for each large christmas tree stand is tailored accordingly. We select the right trucks and we plan routes that are going to keep the trees safe and fresh. Merry Tree takes care with size, distance, weather and caring handling to ensure the big Christmas trees arrive ready to delight homes or events. 

How Wholesale Buyers Can Ship Bulk Christmas Trees Most Efficiently

Shipping needed to be choreographed carefully when wholesale buyers wanted to order large numbers of trees en masse. Purchasing in bulk represents a large number of trees, which may be a substantial chore to get from the farm to stores or other venues. Wholesale buyers will need to consider how to make shipping as hassle-free — and reasonably priced — as possible. 

One strategy for managing shipping is to order trees early. Ordering well in advance of the holiday season allows buyers to beat the rush and get better deals on delivery, they said. Early orders also provide the delivery teams with more time to get the right trucks in place and optimize routes for getting a huge load of chips and dip off shelves. If late orders roll in, the truck might be full or prices might be higher because so many people need trees at once. 

Another little-known secret is consolidate shipments. It’s best to send one or two big shipments, instead of many small loads, they said. This adds up to cost savings because tree prices for full truckloads are typically lower per tree than those of smaller ones. It can also cut down on trips drivers have to make, which is better for the environment and lowers the likelihood of delays or damage. 

Wholesale purchasers should also stay in close contact with their suppliers. The more we can all know about delivery dates, special needs or storage potential, the better. If buyers have room to store trees until they sell them, deliveries may be extended over a few days. Buyers who are working with a more confined space might consider scheduling their deliveries to land on particular days to help limit crowding. 

Merry Tree aids wholesale buyers with flexible delivery and expert counsel. We realize that moving many large trees is difficult, and we will work with buyers to discover the most efficient shipping plans. Our mission is to ensure all trees arrive fresh, on time and ready to bring spirit into the holiday season. 

What Seasonal Demand Does to the Wholesale Christmas Tree Industry

It is a time of year when demand for artificial christmas tree stand — in particular, big ones — skyrockets. This seasonal demand has a large impact on how the wholesale market operates. For most of the year, there’s not much call for Christmas trees, but as December looms buyers need to order a lot of them quickly, to be ready in time for stores and events where they’ll be shopped or displayed or chosen by families. 

Amid this surge in demand, the prices of Christmas trees tend to go up throughout the season. Farmers raise trees year-round, but they can sell only so many at a time. When the demand is high and lots of people want trees at once, there’s more competition, and prices can go up. That means wholesale buyers will need to strategize on how to get a good deal ahead of time or by purchasing more at once. 

Seasonal demand also determines how quickly trees need to be delivered and sold. For a specialty delivery company like Merry Tree, which during the busy end-of-year holidays has to move thousands of trees quickly, it has meant picking up extra shifts. That means deploying more trucks, hiring more drivers, and plotting routes carefully in order to avoid delays. Should deliveries be made late, buyers could miss the best selling period and trees might jump their freshness. 

Another impact of seasonal demand is the need for farmers to produce healthy and aesthetically pleasing trees. Because buyers are always seeking the best for their customers, farmers must tend to their crops well over a season. This involves watering, trimming and pest control of trees. When the season comes around, trees have to look perfect and last through holiday celebrations. 

At Merry Tree, we understand the need for being on top of the busy season. We get ready early, we coordinate closely with the farmers and buyers and ensure our delivery teams are prepared for the rush. And by knowing the rising demand throughout the holiday season, Merry Tree ensures in part that there is a healthy wholesale Christmas tree market; so everyone gets to enjoy the magic of a big, beautiful tree.