Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 3 hrs ago
Drought kills young Christmas trees, but this year's supply looks safe
Heat and drought killed many young Christmas trees in parts of France, including Scaër in Brittany and areas of Normandy.
At one farm in Scaër, the grower said 85% of the trees planted this year had died.
Growers are replanting to protect future harvests, with one farm putting 120,000 new trees in the ground.
Those lost trees were expected to be ready in about four years, so the damage will affect later supplies rather than this Christmas.
Larger trees have generally survived better, and growers say the first cuts for this season are reassuring.
A Paris florist expects prices could rise by 10% to 15%, which he said might mean two or three euros more per tree than last year.
The first trees are due in shops by the end of November.
Summer heat and drought killed many newly planted Christmas trees in parts of France.
A producer in Scaër said 85% of the trees planted there during the year had died.
Producers say the damage will not immediately affect this year’s Christmas tree supply because larger trees fared better.
The drought could still push prices up, with one Paris florist expecting a possible increase of 10% to 15%.
The first trees are expected to arrive in shops by the end of November.
- Who
- Christmas tree growers in France, including Greencap director Gildas Le Foll, and retailers.
- What
- Heat and drought killed young trees, but growers say this year’s supply is not at immediate risk.
- When
- The damage followed the summer heat and drought; the report was published on November 8, 2026.
- Where
- Scaër in Finistère, Valdallière in Calvados, and another growing area in Normandy.
- Why
- Strong heat and a lack of water damaged young trees.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Heat and drought damaged young Christmas trees in growing areas.
Greencap planned to replant 120,000 trees, an unusual step for that season.
franceinfo published its report on drought damage and the Christmas tree supply.
The first Christmas trees are expected to arrive in shops.
- Scaër
- 85% of trees planted during the year were dead
- Greencap replanting
- 120,000 trees
- Expected maturity
- About four years for the damaged young trees
- Possible price increase
- 10% to 15%, according to a Paris florist
- First shop arrivals
- By the end of November
What people are saying
Today, here, 85% of the trees are dead.
It’s over; replanting what’s left by hand would be a colossal job.
Between 10 and 15% increase. But what will that mean? Compared with last year, it may be 2 or 3 euros more for a tree.