Local News

Looking good: Local Christmas tree growers anticipate good supply for the season

With Christmas just around the corner, it should be a good year for families who want to find a real Christmas tree.

Area growers said their supply of trees is good this year.

"Our trees are looking great this year, and we're excited to have a large selection of all our varieties available for the Christmas season. We've continued expanding our farm and caring for thousands of trees at different stages of growth, so we're fortunate to have a strong supply heading into the season," said co-owner Ashley Latta of Tuckaway Tree Farm, Petersburg. "We have our largest selection available to choose from ever this year and are looking forward to welcoming even more families to the farm."

"Our crop is better because more blocks of trees have reached cutting size," said Evelyn Bookhammer, co-owner of JB Tree Farm, Alexandria.

The weather has had an impact on this year's tree crop as an April freeze wiped out much of the area's fruit crop.

"We did have a very significant late freeze that really hurt my Douglas fir. With fir trees what happens, it stuns the trees and growth is very limited for the season. The Fraser fir were not affected because they bud out later in the spring and I'm well stocked with Fraser," said Rick Koontz, owner of Sellers Tree Farm near Bedford. "As for my overall stock, I have lots of trees, with Douglas being somewhat limited due to the frost."

Tuckaway Tree Farm experienced some damage from the late spring frost, particularly to the tender new growth on a percentage of their Douglas fir and Concolor fir trees. "Fortunately, most of the affected trees have bounced back well throughout the growing season. Despite the challenges with the early frost, we'd describe this as a good growing season overall. We received plenty of rain later in the season, which helped support healthy growth and recovery," Latta said.

"The freeze affected Christmas trees, a deep freeze would be bad if we didn't have 80 degrees in April. The apple farmers were devastated. Fraser buds later but we did have some damage but nothing terrible," said Doug Banker, manager of Kuhn's Tree Farm, Boalsburg.

Bookhammer said the spring freeze affected one block of small Douglas fir trees in a low-lying area.

"At the time, many looked red in places but now amazingly, they have come back nicely from that freeze," Bookhammer said.

Kline's Tree Farm, Carrolltown, also sustained some damage from the spring freeze.

"We had frost damage on Douglas fir and Concolor fir, but it wasn't the whole crop.

Overall, we had a good growing season," owner Mark Kline said.

Of the wholesale growers surveyed, 91% said they don't plan to raise their wholesale prices, including those who may lower them for the 2026 season. That figure is up from 84% who said the same in 2025.

Despite continued year-over-year upticks in input costs, growers are largely absorbing increases rather than passing them along to retailers.

"Real Christmas tree growers are committed to providing families with a high-quality tree, whether they're a first-time buyer or continuing their yearly holiday tradition," said Marsha Gray, executive director of the Real Christmas Tree Board. "This year's outlook reflects the consistency of the real Christmas tree industry."

Fir trees remain the most popular trees for area consumers.

"Fraser is our top seller, we plant 4,000 every year. People like the two-tone needles and they are one of the best needle retention trees. For me, I try to prune trees so they look natural with some gaps for hanging decorations," Banker said.

Tuckaway Tree Farm grows Canaan fir, Concolor fir, Douglas fir and some Fraser-Balsam and Korean-Balsam crosses.

"Canaan fir is consistently the most popular choice with our customers. Canaan firs have a beautiful shape, good needle retention, and sturdy branches that work well for ornaments. Concolor firs are another favorite, especially for families who love their longer, soft blue-green needles and unique citrus-like fragrance," Latta said. "Korean-Balsam crosses are one of our newer favorites. They have deep green needles with silvery undersides that give the branches a unique, two-toned appearance."

Firs are top sellers at JB Tree Farm.

"We grow Douglas fir, Fraser fir, Intermediate fir, Concolor fir, Blue and Englemann spruce, and a few balsam. All of the fir are popular for great needle retention, and most hold heavier ornaments well. Fir also have a great smell," Bookhammer said.

Kline's Tree Farm grows a variety of trees.

"We grow Blue spruce, Douglas fir, Fraser fir, Scotch pine and White pine. Fraser and Douglas are the most popular due to good needle retention and they are a softer tree," Kline said.

Sellers Tree Farm will begin sales on Nov. 14, while others will start later.

"For 35 years or more, we sold trees the day after Thanksgiving, but people want them earlier and earlier. Last year we started the weekend before Thanksgiving. Black Friday was the busiest weekend of the year, I sold more that day than all of the other days combined, it was crazy. We will start the weekend before Thanksgiving this year," Banker said.

Tuckaway Tree Farm will also start sales the weekend before Thanksgiving.

"Our opening day is Saturday, Nov. 21. We'll be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through Dec. 6, except Thanksgiving Day. After Dec. 6, we'll continue offering regular weekend hours (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and weekday visits by appointment," Latta said.

JB Tree Farm and Kline's Tree Farm will start sales on Black Friday, Nov. 27.

As far as advice, Banker said if you want a taller tree, shop early, they are the first ones to go. He said he doesn't have any over 8 feet tall this year.

Latta said it is a good idea to make choosing a Christmas tree part of family holiday traditions.

"We encourage families to take their time walking through the fields, exploring the different varieties, and finding a tree they love," Latta said. "Once you bring your tree home, it's important to make a fresh cut on the trunk if needed, get it into water promptly, and check the water level daily. Keeping your tree well-watered and away from direct heat sources will help it stay fresh throughout the Christmas season."

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