Tree farm already buzzing as families continue a Christmas tradition

Visiting his Christmas tree farm in Ridge Manor, just north of Dade City, is an after-Thanksgiving tradition in the Bay area spanning more than a quarter-century.

As temperatures dip and the calendar inches toward the Christmas holiday, retailers and farmers say they are bracing for the busy Christmas tree buying season.

Of course the most important aspect of Christmas tree shopping is knowing when you’ve stumbled upon the right tree to bring home.

“Trees look a lot smaller out here in the field than they do when you get them in your house”, said George Brown. “Then the tree starts to fall we’re on our two-hour trip”, the Zweber family from Madison tells WEAU.

Once you get the tree home, cut about 2 inches off the base of the trunk.

Make sure the handle or base of the tree is straight and long enough so it will fit easily into a tree stand after fresh cuts are made for water uptake.

Families were on the hunt Friday for the flawless Christmas tree. Norm said the Incense Ceder and Pine trees are typically the most drought tolerant.

It’s tempting, once the tree is decorated, to leave the lights on overnight, especially on Christmas Eve when folks want to impress Santa.

In Sioux Falls at the Johns’ tree farm, the most popular tree to take home is the Frasier fir.

“We felt like this would be a community event that people could look forward to each year”, said G.G. Holmes, director of Kosciusko Main Street.

When it comes to picking between a live tree or artificial, both options have pluses and minuses.

At Eola Christmas Trees in West Salem, the Sparkes and Prince families trekked their way through still frosty dirt to find their trees.

It takes 6 to 12 years to grow a Christmas tree before it is ready to be sold.

The Norway spruce, purchased in 2001 as their Christmas tree, has since grown to 30 feet tall – so big that it began to block the driveway.

What is the best way to keep Christmas trees from dropping their needles so soon?

Sandy Creek Christmas Tree Farm is open everyday from 10 a.m. until dark until December 20.

“Next year, the growers are already talking about more increases, so I got to stay afloat, so I can stay in business”.