From Quebec Forests to U.S. Living Rooms: The Cross-Border Journey of Christmas Trees

Every December, millions of Christmas trees make their way from farms across North America to homes filled with light and celebration. But right now — in mid-October — the real work begins. Growers are trimming, baling, and preparing for a short but intense season that serves both domestic markets and cross-border buyers. For logistics teams, this is when the season truly starts to move.

That’s why we’re writing this: to highlight what it takes to transport one of the most symbolic and seasonal products on the continent — and how coordination, timing, and reliability keep the holiday spirit alive.

Canada’s Green Gift to the U.S.

Canada remains one of the world’s leading suppliers of real Christmas trees, with the majority heading south to the U.S. In 2024, Canadian exports were valued at CAD $83.8 million, with nearly 95 % destined for American retailers (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 2025).

The country’s top-producing regions — Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick — together account for more than 96 % of national exports, and many farms are already in full harvest mode. Across the border, U.S. producers are doing the same: in 2023, American consumers purchased roughly 21.5 million real Christmas trees, spending about USD $75 per tree on average (National Christmas Tree Association, 2024).

Oregon, North Carolina, and Michigan remain major producers, but supply still struggles to meet demand nationwide — which is why efficient logistics, both domestic and cross-border, play such a key role this time of year.

From Field to Freight

A Christmas tree typically takes six to ten years to grow before it’s ready to ship. Once harvest season arrives, farms shift into overdrive — trimming, wrapping, and baling trees for safe transport.

From there, the trees move to staging areas or consolidation yards where shipments are built for regional or international routes. The biggest priority is freshness. Trees are kept cool, shaded, and hydrated to prevent needle loss or drying out. Even a minor delay can affect quality, so timing and handling are everything.

“In logistics, timing is everything — but with Christmas trees, freshness is part of the clock.”

Crossing the Border

When shipments are bound for the U.S., they pass through major crossings in Quebec, Ontario, or New Brunswick. Each load must meet USDA and APHIS import standards confirming the trees are pest-free and ready for sale.

Because the shipping window is so short, experienced operators plan routes carefully — choosing crossings and schedules that minimize congestion and avoid early winter weather disruptions. That same precision applies to domestic shipments, too. Whether the destination is across the border or a few provinces away, the margin for delay is razor-thin.

A New Factor in 2025: Tariffs and Trade Tension

This year, trade headlines have added an extra layer of uncertainty. In 2025, new U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods — along with Canada’s 25 % retaliatory tariffs on certain U.S. products — have drawn attention across multiple industries (Reuters, 2025; Government of Canada, 2025).

For now, live Christmas trees remain largely tariff-exempt under the USMCA agreement, but related materials such as packaging, wire, and netting have seen cost increases (Hortigen Insights, 2025). For shippers, that means staying flexible and planning ahead as trade conditions evolve.

The trees are still moving — but tariffs have reminded everyone just how connected trade, transport, and timing truly are.

What Makes Tree Freight Different

Christmas trees are among the most time-sensitive products on the road. Once cut, the clock starts ticking — there’s no holding inventory for later. Every stage, from harvest to delivery, must run in rhythm to preserve freshness and appearance.

Airflow and moisture levels are critical, especially during longer hauls. A tightly packed trailer or damaged wrap can mean trees arrive brittle instead of bright. That’s why the equipment, the drivers, and the coordination all need to work seamlessly — it’s a supply chain built around living cargo, not static freight.

Moving Trees the MOOV Way

At MOOV, we handle the movement of Christmas trees and other seasonal goods across Canada and the United States, from field to final destination.

Our team understands the urgency, the timing, and the care that tree shipments demand. We plan routes around weather, coordinate delivery schedules, and keep the process transparent every step of the way. Whether the load is moving domestically or crossing the border, we make sure it gets there ready to sell — and ready to celebrate.

Because when you’re dealing with a product that’s alive, there’s no margin for delay — and no substitute for experience.

Each December, as families unwrap lights and hang ornaments, few think about the network that got those trees there — from farms, to freight yards, to the highways that connect them all.

The season might start in the forests of Canada or the farms of Oregon, but it ends in homes filled with warmth across North America. And that’s something worth moving for.

Are you a Christmas tree farmer or distributor preparing for this season? Get in touch today for a custom route plan and quote — we’d be happy to help.