According to the National Christmas Tree Growers Association, Christmas tree production has expanded greatly in the last five years. More than 35.4 million trees were sold in the United States in 1987, a 25.5% increase over the previous year. Even so, nationwide the industry is beginning to suffer from overexpansion, especially in the retail lot markets. Small choose-and-cut operations are still doing well, however, and in most localities, there is a shortage of this type of tree-purchasing option.