TRURO - Reg Henderson keeps a few things in mind when seeking the perfect Christmas tree.
"I've always liked the real and fresh trees that smell good," said Henderson, of Old Barns.
Henderson found what he was looking for on Sunday morning at a Christmas tree lot set up at B&D Glass and Mirror on Robie Street.
"Trees that hold needles well and are easier to decorate," is what Henderson wanted.
He added that as his children have gotten older the family began purchasing smaller trees. The tree he bought yesterday was six feet.
The other important thing when buying a Christmas tree is supporting local growers, said Henderson.
"It's nice to buy from the local guys. I'm from here so I want to support growers here."
The owner of the tree lot, and B&D Glass and Mirror, is Hank Dixon of North River. Dixon has been selling Christmas trees for more than 25 years and said certain trends continue.
"People get out shopping early for trees and most people are happy. That's what I like about selling trees," said Dixon, who offers balsam fir trees at the lot.
Dixon raises his own trees, with the help of two sons, from Kemptown and MacKenzie Settlement with a friend.
The ones on his lot are between five and seven feet and he estimated he sold 150 in the past week.
"This and next weekend are the big weekends," he said.
Another busy Christmas tree lot on Sunday was Tree Land, across from the Colchester Regional Hospital on Willow Street.
Brookfield's Patty Elliott and her daughter Jenna were carefully making a selection at Tree Land. For Patty, picking a real tree is a sentimental moment.
"It makes it more special when you have someone you love with you," she said.
Patty was also purchasing a small tree to place on the grave of her son Kyle, who died two years ago at the age of 22.
Valley's Russell Campbell, who also purchased a tree at Tree Land, said nothing compares to a real tree.
"They are more traditional and I grew up on a farm so it's nice to support local (growers)," Campbell said.
Nancy and Adrian Samson of Greenfield are the owners/operators of Tree Land.
Adrian has been in the business for 30 years and the duo have sold trees across from the hospital for about seven years.
"We cut as we need them," said Adrian, estimating 75 trees were sold on Sunday alone.
Their trees range from three to 12 feet and are white and scotch pine as well as natural and cultivated balsam fir.
Adrian has noticed a trend as well.
"People are looking for smaller trees than they did in the past. They don't want to throw the couch out to put up a tree," he said.
Christmas tree lots throughout the county anticipate the next two weeks will be particularly busy as Christmas quickly approaches.
mchiasson@trurodaily.com
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TRURO - There are simple things people can do to ensure their Christmas tree remains healthy throughout the holidays.
Greenfield's Adrian Samson has been in the Christmas tree business for 30 years and makes sure to share some tips with his customers at Tree Land in Truro.
"When getting a tree at a retail lot, buy from a reputable person who is there year after year and who gives you lots of information," said Samson.
"Ask when the tree was cut, get them to make a fresh cut on the base and bring a stand to match the cut."
Samson reminds people that real Christmas trees need a lot of water and can drink up to four litres of water in the first 24 hours after being put up.
He added knowing how much room you have in your house so you don't purchase too large of a tree is helpful as well, and deal with a business that will take the tree back if there is a problem with it.
As far as business, Samson said it's on par with the last few years.
"It's pretty comparable," he said. "You do it for the love of it. You count the cost ... and you don't know until the end of the season how you made out."
North River's Hank Dixon operates a Christmas tree lot outside his B&D Glass and Mirror business on Robie Street in Truro. Dixon said sales are better than they have been in the past.
"People are loyal to the same lot and sales are starting to come back from last year."
Dixon said artificial trees don't seem to be as popular as they once were.
"Fifteen years ago artificial trees were (popular) and real tree sales went down. Then people had artificial trees for a few years and didn't like them so they got a real one again," he said.
mchiasson@trurodaily.com
