“Growers are prepared, supply is strong and most are holding wholesale prices steady this year,” said Marsha Gray, executive director of the Real Christmas Tree Board.

Tall Christmas trees — those over 10 feet tall — have remained popular, but in some cases may be difficult to find.

For one Bedford County farm, though, a little scouting on their property paid off for regular customers who want 12 to 17 foot trees and have the high ceilings needed to show them off.

“There is always a shortage of very tall trees, the ones over 10 feet,” said Jon Imgrund, owner of Imgrund’s Tree Sales, Bedford. “We have to search on the farm for large trees.”

The 25-foot Concolor fir tree destined for a private Catholic school in Washington, D.C., weighs between 800 and 900 pounds. It wasn’t the only large tree Imgrund’s Tree Sales, Bedford, sent to the D.C. area, said Jon Imgrund. Courtesy photo

This year, Imgrund had success finding some extra-large trees, including a 25-foot Concolor fir weighing between 800 and 900 pounds. That tree was destined for a private Catholic school in Washington, D.C. — St. John’s College High School.

It wasn’t the only large tree they sent to the D.C. area, Imgrund said, adding that two others went to Georgetown Preparatory School in North Bethesda, Maryland, just outside D.C.

Christmas tree growers must plan years in advance to have a good crop from which to choose come the holidays. For really tall trees, it takes a few extra years.

JB Tree Farm near Alexandria has a better supply of large trees this year because they had fenced off some areas in previous years to allow growth.

“We opened up new areas,” said co-owner Evelyn Bookhammer. “This gives us a better selection of taller trees. … It seems so many people have really tall places in their houses for trees.”

A 25-foot Concolor fir tree from Imgrund’s Tree Sales, Bedford, is decorated for Christmas at St. John’s College High School in Washington, D.C. Courtesy photo

Sellers Tree Farm near Bedford also has a good supply of taller trees.

“I still have a great number of larger trees, it amazes me that people want 10-, 12- and 14-foot trees,” owner Rick Koontz said.

Doug Banker, manager at Kuhns Tree Farm, Boalsburg, said his overall supply has been increasing but he is low on larger trees.

“I got lots of calls for trees 10 feet or taller,” he said, explaining it takes much longer to grow the tall trees, as Christmas trees grow about a foot a year.

Ashley Latta, co-owner of Tuckaway Tee Farm, Petersburg, said they have a good supply of trees for their fourth choose-and-cut season.

Joe Ickes of Altoona ties down his tree, which he purchased at the Jaffa Shrine Center Christmas tree sale on Friday afternoon. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

Latta said they purchased the farm in 2020 and have been working to increase their options.

“We have more trees than ever before — double what we had available last year,” Latta said.

Growing season a mixed bag

While a drought affected tree growth in 2024, the 2025 growing season was a mixed bag, growers said.

“We had a wet spring and a dry summer and fall. Because of the spring rain, that seemed to balance the drought and didn’t have any effect,” Imgrund said of his farm.

Shriner Jim Abbott takes inventory of the remaining trees at the Jaffa Shrine Center Christmas tree sale on Friday afternoon. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

Banker, who grows Fraser fir trees, lost about 4,000 seedlings in 2024.

“I had an impact from both wet and dry conditions,” Banker said. “The spring was very wet. I lost some trees to drowning and drought in the same year. Trees that were established do better in drought.”

Fraser firs are sensitive to overly wet conditions, he said. “If they get too wet they will drown. We had a lot of wet days and not enough sun to dry out.”

But too much of a good thing — dry weather — can also be detrimental to trees.

The dry weather causes stress on trees and that leads to more cone production rather than branches, Banker said, adding that “leaves the tops of some trees sparse.”

Shriner Jonathan Lockard trims the bottom of a Christmas tree for Royer Mansion board member Hustan Godwin at the Jaffa Shrine Center Christmas tree sale on Friday afternoon. The tree will be erected at the mansion. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

Emily Zink, manager of Tait Christmas Trees near Boalsburg, said some colder spring weather was beneficial.

“We did have a hard frost which … is what enables the tree to hold on to its needles,” she said. “Our trees will be just fine.”

Dry weather had an impact at Kline’s Tree Farm, Carrolltown.

“We lost some of our seedlings we planted due to lack of rain/dry weather,” owner Mark Kline said.

Different characteristics

Growers said a real Christmas tree is the best way to decorate a home for the holidays.

“A real Christmas tree is so much more than a Christmas decoration,” said Gray. “Our customers create lasting memories with family and friends while heading out to select their tree and enjoy the scent that will fill their home all season.”

As for which type of tree, that depends on many factors.

“Like buying a house, it all depends on what the buyer is looking for in a tree. Each tree has different characteristics that people will like,” said Gerrit J. Strathmeyer II, president of the Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Growers Association.

This year “has a good overall supply of trees for all species,” he said, listing a variety of fir trees and “exotics.”

Fir trees — both Fraser and Douglas — are most popular in Pennsylvania, followed closely by Canaan fir. Concolor firs are also a popular tree.

“Fraser fir absolutely is the number one seller,” Koontz said, noting Sellers Tree Farm specializes in Fraser fir trees. “Concolor fir is number two.”

Koontz said Fraser firs are nice-looking, dark green trees that hold ornaments well and have a traditional pine smell.

Concolor is a lighter green that gives off an orange peel smell, he said.

“Fraser are native to the mountains of North Carolina, they are a traditional-shaped tree and are very easy to trim during the summer. They are not a really demanding tree,” Koontz said.

Fraser is also the tree of choice at Kuhns Tree Farm.

“We used to grow 13 varieties, but everyone wants a Fraser fir, so we grow what people want,” Banker said. “Fraser fir holds needles, they are good for decorating, people like the two-tone needles.”

Banker said Fraser fir trees have overtaken Douglas fir, which enjoyed the top slot in popularity for decades.

At Tuckaway Tree Farm and Tait Christmas Trees, Canaan firs are top sellers.

“We sell the most Canaan fir trees, which are very similar to a Fraser fir. They have a very classic Christmas look,” Latta said.

“We also have some people who love Concolor firs, which have longer needles and smell like oranges. New this year, we have some Korean Balsam firs available. Their needles are green on top and silvery underneath,” Latta said.

Tait Christmas Trees sells mostly Canaan fir trees, which have the same needle retention and aroma as Fraser fir.

“They are called Canaan because the seeds come from the Canaan Valley in West Virginia,” Tait said.

Choose-and-cut has become very popular, with Banker noting a lot of people visited Kuhns Tree Farm on Tuesday, after the snowfall.

“They wanted the experience of cutting a tree down in the snow,” he said.

Between choose-and-cut and pre-cut tree sellers, those looking for a real tree for Christmas should have no problem.

Latta recommends spending time walking around to see which tree speaks to you.

“Everyone’s perfect tree looks a little different,” she said.

Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 814-946-7467.

Shriners Jonathan Lockard (left) and Jim Abbott load a Christmas tree for Royer Mansion board member Hustan Godwin at the Jaffa Shrine Center Christmas tree sale on Friday afternoon. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski