Those in the business of selling Christmas trees are gearing up for an influx of families looking to create memories in a year so many people want to forget.
Christmas tree operations always see a sudden rush of people beginning the weekend after Thanksgiving with one holiday done and the next one less than a month away. Local families are quick to make the switch and begin their search for the perfect centerpiece for their living space. And in a the time of COVID-19, people are looking for any opportunity to get out of the house.
For many it’s a longstanding tradition to wander through a local tree farm or support a local organization by purchasing a fresh cut tree and this year the family tree might mean more than ever. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, families will be staying close to home and only celebrating the holidays with those they live with. That provides an even bigger incentive to find the right tree a memorable family experience.
Hunter Carbee, owner of Carbee Tree Farm in Greenfield, was a bit apprehensive going into this year given the coronavirus pandemic.
Growing Christmas trees in his family dates back to 1947 when his dad Sheldon Carbee, and his uncle John Blackwood, planted the first Christmas trees on the property. But this is a year like any other.
“I was concerned and figured I’d try it and see how it goes,” Carbee said.
But the first weekend gave him a chance to breathe a sigh of relief. Business was steady, but not overwhelming.
“Our operation is low key,” Carbee said. “I don’t want to be a big operation, so that made it easier.”
Carbee typically just puts a sign out at the end of the road, but decided to advertise this year even though he wasn’t sure if that would bring about too many people. For opening weekend it didn’t result in a big push.
“One car would pull in as another was pulling out,” Carbee said, adding he only has space for a handful of cars. “It flowed just right. I never had more than one family come out with a tree at one time.”
George Lohmiller, owner of Find-Us-Farm in Hancock, is hopeful he’ll see the same results as last year, when the farm sold out on Dec. 15. But like many other businesses this year, he isn’t sure what people will be comfortable doing.
“I’m hoping we get the same results,” Lohmiller said.
Jeff Brown said picking out a Christmas tree may give people some feeling of normalcy in a year that has been anything but.
Yet Brown is also in the camp of hopeful this year, as he’s unsure of what the season might look like.
“We expect to have a good season,” Brown said. “I don’t think it’s going to be crazy busy. It’s going to be whatever it is.”
Lohmiller said he made a few adjustments from previous years. Refreshments will now be available outside and for those who are going inside the building, masks will be required and there will be a limit to the number of people who can be inside at one time. He put up signs so people know about the mask mandate inside and when distancing is not possible.
“We know people might be apprehensive,” he said.
While Lohmiller is concerned about what the season will look like, he brought in the same number of cut tress as last year – in addition to the cut-your-own – in the event that people still want to come out.
“But I just don’t know,” he said. “I really am hopeful and I think we’ll be okay.”
His hope comes in the fact that local farms have seen a resurgence this year as people look for family-friendly activities that are outside.
“I have a relative in the pick-your-own apple business and it was their best year,” he said.
He will have two spots for saws, one that have been cleaned and sanitized and another for those being returned that need to be disinfected.
Find-Us-Farm did a brisk business over the holiday weekend, as families came, picked out trees or cut down their own from a back lot, and strapped them to their vehicles to bring home.
Hill Top won’t be offering it’s warming hut as it is not big enough for people to maintain a safe distance from one another, but there is a new gazebo in the field, a feature Brown added for people looking to expand their experience without having to go inside.
The farm is open Saturdays and Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., but like in previous years people can call and make an appointment (547-7651) to come during the week.
“I think people may find that appealing. I think it’s something we have to do and it will be interesting to see how many people take advantage of it,” Brown said.
Brown said part of the experience is connecting with others and “that’s the sad part about all this.”
The goal for this season is to set up in a fashion where “they don’t even have to see anybody.” For those who go into the cabin to pay, masks will be required and numbers will be limited.
“I want to be as careful as anybody,” Brown said.
Carbee said everything is conducted outside and that people have been respectful by wearing masks.
“I think for the most part people are trying to do the right thing,” he said.
He said typically the next two weekends re his busiest, so he’s prepared to make alterations.
“I may ask people to wait in their vehicles until the next party leaves. They’ll just have to take turns,” Carbee said. “I just want to make sure people feel comfortable.”
Once out on the field, Lohmiller said masks will be up to the individual because there is more than enough room to promote social distancing. He said people do come when the farm is not technically open and “we try to accommodate them.”
“Since we make our own wreaths, we’re here all the time,” Lohmiller said.
Being outside and part of many family’s traditions gives Lohmiller a sense that things might not be as affected as other businesses.
“I try to sell memories,” he said. “So just to get the family out and be outside, I think that’s important.”
Carbee said his farm is set up in a way that’s perfect for social distancing. He has four different plantations and people so far have done a good job of going where others are not.
“They’re not all in one place. They’re all spread out,” he said.
A lot of trees at Hill Top have been tagged and some were even cut before opening day.
“That’s not usual, usually it’s the day after Thanksgiving,” he said.
But for Brown, it’s about all those families that choose to come to Hill Top.
“We’re going to do all we can to make it a memorable experience,” he said.
Brown said there are plenty of trees available this year, up to eight feet, as well as pre-cut ones that he brings in. Unfortunately, because of the drought this summer all but six of the 150 he planted survived for future picking.
Carbee said he has trees available from Charlie Browns up to 20 or 30 feet. The farm is open Saturdays and Sundays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“The only thing we don’t have is fake,” he said.
Leading up to the opening this past Saturday, Lohmiller said a lot of trees were tagged and a few had even been cut. Most of the trees are 6 to 8 feet tall, while some are as big as 12 feet. But every year, Lohmiller sells quite a few Charlie Brown trees as well.
Find-Us-Farm is open seven days a week, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
“We do sell a lot during the week, but most are during the weekend,” Lohmiller said. “What we sell on a Saturday is what we sell Monday through Friday.”
Paradise Farm in Lyndeborough will be open for cut-your-own Christmas Trees on Sunday, Dec. 6 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Peterborough Lions Club is holding its annual tree sale at Valley Automotive on Elm Street in Peterborough this year, and even ordered extra trees after record sales the last few years.
The Souhegan Lions are once again selling trees in front of the Temple Village Store on Route 45. With a variety of 5 to 12 foot trees, the sale is typically only two weekends, beginning this past weekend.
The Knights of Columbus are selling trees on Route 124 in Jaffrey near St. Patrick Church.