(NEWS CENTER Maine) -- If you've been scrolling through social media you might have seen reports about a Christmas tree shortage and concern about higher prices and fewer choices, but is it true?
Our Verify researchers did some digging and found there is a shortage and it goes back to the Big Recession.
Back when the market crashed in 2008 everyone had to economize, even Christmas tree farmers. That meant they planted fewer trees. Now 10 years later we are reaping what they didn't sow.
However, here in Maine is a different story.
"We grow our own so this shortage doesn't affect us in any way." Tree farmer Jay Cox said.
Cox owns the Old Farm Christmas Place of Maine in Cape Elizabeth. He believes Maine should be just fine, because many sellers grow their own trees and don't typically rely on other places for their supply.
"The folks that grow their own trees typically plan for X number of trees each year and can typically supply that," Cox said. "Perhaps other states are bringing in more whole sale trees and their buying from large whole sale operations that maybe scaled back 10 years ago and now they're feeling the effects of that."
Suppliers report there will be trees nationwide, but you may have to pay more.
And if you do find one for a rock bottom price you could be disappointed. When we started feeling the effects of this Christmas tree shortage last year, there were wide spread reports of people ending up with dead and dying trees.
So we can verify there is a Christmas tree shortage -- but here in Maine we are going to go out on a limb and say you shouldn't have any problem finding a tree.