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- calendar_today November 7, 2026
Holiday Preparations Begin at Central Indiana Tree Farms
With Thanksgiving just three weeks away, Christmas tree farms across central Indiana are making final preparations for the holiday season. One of the largest family-owned operations, Dull’s Tree Farm in Thorntown, is anticipating a bustling year as customers seek out real Christmas trees and a traditional holiday experience.
Dull’s Tree Farm Prepares for Visitors
Rows of evergreens at Dull’s Tree Farm stand ready for families planning their seasonal tree harvesting rituals. Lucas Dull, co-owner and general manager, says the outlook for the season is positive. “We expect to have a good year for our Christmas season. We don’t really have any indications of why we wouldn’t,” Dull remarked.
Dull, who also serves as Indiana's director for the National Christmas Tree Association, emphasizes that local conditions are promising. “For Indiana farms that are selling locally, choose and cut, it really matters just what’s happening in our little pocket of the country, and I think things are going well for us here,” he explained.
Comparing Real and Artificial Christmas Tree Markets
While local tree farms are expecting strong demand, the artificial Christmas trees market continues to experience fluctuations. Mac Harman, CEO of Balsam Hill and member of the American Christmas Tree Association, outlines the challenges facing synthetic tree sellers. Most artificial trees are imported, and high tariffs in 2025 forced companies to raise prices.
“We raised prices not that much, but we did need to raise prices to stay in business,” Harman noted. He points out that although prices for artificial trees have decreased this holiday season, they remain variable due to fluctuating costs for diesel, materials, and shipping.
Holiday Tree Sales and Pricing Trends
Harman predicts that price increases for artificial trees are likely next year. “Next year, we’re actually expecting prices to go up again because we’re already producing next year’s Christmas trees, and all of our input costs – the steel, the plastic, the copper – all those things in the transportation are up,” he stated. For consumers considering purchasing an artificial tree, Harman suggests that this year may offer the most favorable prices before costs potentially rise again.
Dull’s Tree Farm Keeps Prices Steady
Despite facing higher operating costs, Dull’s Tree Farm has decided not to raise Christmas tree prices this season. “We have decided that we are not raising our tree prices this year. We have had to over the last few years, but we’re able to keep our prices the same from last year to this year and just be able to absorb some of that extra cost on our end,” Lucas Dull explained.
Dull says choosing a real tree from a local farm supports the community. "That is one of the benefits of buying a real tree from a local farm, is that we do all of our work here. They’re growing here. Everything is local."
Upcoming Seasonal Activities and Festivities
Dull's pre-cut tree sales begin November 21, with full "choose and cut" options and festive family activities launching on Black Friday. The farm invites both newcomers and returning visitors to enjoy the experience and consider making the switch to a real Christmas tree this year.
For more information on seasonal attractions and upcoming events at Dull’s Tree Farm, interested visitors can access their official website.
Source: fox59.com.
