COLUMBUS — Christmas tree shoppers are sticking with real trees this year as tariffs on Chinese goods make artificial alternatives more expensive.

According to the American Christmas Tree Association, about 87 percent of artificial trees come from China. The U.S. currently imposes an average 47.5 percent tariff on Chinese goods, with Christmas decorations facing tariffs of 30 percent or higher.

The price increases are driving some shoppers back to live Christmas tree lots. Gilbert Miller, owner of Kimi Farms, said he’s seeing more customers than last year.

“We had probably over 400 to 500 people on this lot and you can look around and see that’s a lot of people to be here all at once,” Miller said.

Tradition meets economics

Labrit and Marjorie Jackson are buying a real Christmas tree,

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