There’s a conspiracy being developed as I write. For those of us who like fresh Christmas trees instead of artificial and like to wait until the last possible drop in price to get them – they are out to get us.

I just read there is a Christmas tree shortage out there. What? Are you serious? Last week I saw a semi load of them coming from the north. TSC has a boatload of them in front of their store.

And I nearly drove into a lot full of them trying to maneuver around the “pop-up” Christmas tree store in the middle of a big box store parking lot last weekend. Don’t try to scare me into believing there is a Christmas tree shortage.

My sources from USAgNet said recent forest fires have only exacerbated a Christmas tree shortage that is expected to last until at least 2025, according to GWD Forestry. The shortage has resulted from numerous factors, including droughts and a recession that led to many tree growers abandoning the profession.

"For growers in Indiana, this is the year of impact from young trees lost in the drought six years ago," said Daniel Cassens, a Christmas tree grower and a retired Purdue University professor of forestry and natural resources.

Are we really expected to believe this shortage is going to last until 2025? I call foul. I think this is some big ploy by children of moms like me who have perfected the art of Christmas procrastination.

We wait to get the tree not only because we want to save money, but because we simply think we have lots of time. Then one day while we are grocery shopping we notice the clearance sales and think, Geez, these sales are getting earlier and earlier every year. But then we look at the calendar and realize it’s not early, it’s Dec. 22, and we haven’t gotten the tree, nor have we done any shopping.

But, we have made three batches of fudge, two kinds of sugar cookies that no one is eating and buckeyes have been cranking out of our kitchen since Black Friday. So, there is that.

I choose not to be lured into this grand conspiracy about the Christmas tree shortage; I vow not to do anything rash, like get my tree before Dec. 20. But if this tree shortage is real, then I will deal with it as it comes.

We may be stringing popcorn on the ferns I brought in from the porch this fall. Regardless what we decorate, Christmas will come to Whoville – no matter what!

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Melissa Hart may write to her in care of this publication.