2021 Tree and Plant Shortage
There is a serious tree and plant shortage in 2021: demand is high, supplies are low, and businesses need them to relaunch in the post-pandemic era. How did this occur and what can be done about it? Read on to learn more about this unprecedented tree and plant shortage, its effect on business, and the best solutions!
What Caused the Tree and Plant Shortage?
There are two main reasons for the current lack of ornamental trees and nursery plants: the events of 2020 and freezing temperatures in 2021. As the year continues, many hospitality brands are struggling with this shortage, as trees and plants provide artistic visual relief, and now design-mandated open space.
Shortage Due to Pandemic
Covid-19 has had a chain effect on all stages of the tree and plant industry, from nurseries and suppliers to designers and decorators. Several things happened as a result of the pandemic:
- Interest in biophilic design increased
- Plants became one of the leading “quarantine trends”
- Home and yard renovations surged during lockdown
- Travel restrictions limited access to foreign labor and supplies
- Industry closures gave hotels, restaurants, etc. the opportunity to renovate
- The hospitality industry needed trees and plants for social distancing
These circumstances, and others, created availability problems that continue now. These are compounded by the record freeze that occurred in Texas and some other Southern states.
Shortage Due to Texas Freeze
In February of 2021, Texas experienced a weather disaster. Temperatures dropped below zero, making it the coldest time in Texas history since 1949.
“Texas is both a major producer and consumer of ornamental trees and plants. The impact of the freeze will likely be twofold, affecting both sides of the supply and demand equation.”
– Market Outlook: Expect Strong Demand, Material Shortages, Nursery Management
Property owners and retailers, among others, will need to replace “a substantial amount of cold-sensitive trees, palms, shrubs, and tropical materials which froze in the landscape.” Texas tree farms and nurseries, however, lost their own inventory during the freeze.
Experts estimate that “the shortage of ornamental tree and plant material will persist for the next several years, and the market will not reach equilibrium until 2025.”
Effect on Hospitality Industry
Restaurants, shopping centers, hotels, cruise ships, and more need to provide more distance between patrons in order to make them feel safe, comfortable, and “back to normal”. We’ve all had a horrific, fear and loss-filled year, caused by the pandemic. The beauty of a blooming tree or plant provides both the spacing now mandated by the public, along with the natural elegance and feeling of wellbeing that most of us yearn for.
Many establishments have realized that trees, plants, and green walls are ideal for social distancing purposes. When an area must have some sort of obstruction or division, it should be as aesthetically appealing as possible. This fact has contributed to higher demand and will continue to do so even post-pandemic.
Artificial trees, plants, and vertical gardens work just as well, and are almost always a better solution! Choose high-quality, artisan-crafted products that are made in the USA, and created to your specifications.
Advantages of Artificial Horticulture
Greenery will always be popular in design and décor, but it’s not always practical, possible, or even safe to use live plants. Some of the biggest advantages of artificial plants, green walls, and trees are that they are low maintenance, don’t attract pests, and don’t require the use of potentially toxic or foul-smelling pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers.
Faux trees and plants are perfect for:
- Weight load restricted areas
- Difficult environments
- Reducing maintenance costs
- Concealing lighting, audio, and video systems
- Camouflaging building and plumbing components
- Indoor and outdoor use
They’re also ideal for areas with environmental challenges like…
- Lack of sunlight
- Weight limitations
- Height restrictions
- Irrigation concerns
- Location and/or access limitations
- Chemical-sensitivity concerns
- Temperature and humidity concerns
- Seasonal foliage color variations
- Potential growth or root related problems
Artificial plants and trees do NOT need:
- Watering
- Fertilizer, pesticides, or herbicides
- Pruning/trimming
- Soil
- Interior sunlight
- Temperature control
Faux trees, plants, florals, and green walls will NOT:
- Trigger allergies to pollen or plant matter
- Trigger scent-based allergies
- Attract bugs and pests
- Shed leaves or blossoms
- Rot or decay
- Compete with other scents
Artificial Trees and Plants Help Solve Shortage
Artificial trees, plants, and green walls are beautiful and reliable alternatives that offer many advantages.
Replica and fabricated products are already used in hotels, casinos, restaurants, cruise lines, and amusement parks around the world. They are chosen for their aesthetic appeal, realistic look, durability, and low maintenance.
If you’re struggling to acquire the ornamental trees and plants you want, be sure to look at faux alternatives. TreeScapes & PlantWorks are here to help with new designs, refurbishments, and installations of trophy trees, green walls, floral walls, and plantscapes. Contact us today so we can help bring your creative vision to life!