Allee of Princeton Elms, Washington Road, NJ
The Economy is playing Havic with the Tree Market. Shade Tree sales are down over 50% from last year and not a popular item as construction across the nation is slow. Growers from around the country have been dumping trees at extremely depressed prices and there is no change in sight. The only trees that seem to be selling are the smaller ornamental (Blooming or colorful leafed) trees in sizes down from previous years. These are the home owners going out and buying a 7gal or 10gal Redbud tree or Crapemyrtle.
Growers alike are not planting like they have in the past years. If a company spent $20,000.00 on new liners each year, they may be spending from $0 to $5000 at the most. This is a sad state of affairs.
The Princeton American elm has not been immune to this either. Since the Princeton Elm is a shade trees, sales and new liners in the ground has dropped off. Even with the need of DED resistant Elms and the Emerald Ash Bore Spreading to more and more counties and States, the Princeton Elm sales are flat.
City and Park budgets have been cut with the taxes coming in less which means less projects for the cities.
Home Owners have had to buckle down and put off buying a new home and renovations have been minimal. The Commercial construction sector has also be hit hard and large Shade trees where installed on most all of these type of projects.
Another component that affects the Princeton Elm is the Education factor. With less people needing shade trees overall, less people are researching or looking for the tree. This is industry wide from the Landscape Architect to the Landscaper, Grower and the Home owner.
What is ahead of us???
No one really knows, but I am sure in time the Princeton Elm and other shade trees will be back in full force. I just hope it is sooner rather than later!
