Black Friday weekend was the start of the Christmas tree sales, and the fields of area local tree farms were astir with families searching for and cutting this year’s tree.

“Our sales have been really strong. People are out earlier this year. They seem anxious to start their Christmas preparations in a normal way,” said Jan Wentz, who co-owns Yenser’s Tree Farm in Lehighton with her husband, Ryan.

They are the third generation to run the family business, which began in 1971. They farm a total of 120 acres and there are 25 acres of trees to choose from and cut down, she said. They have Douglas fir, Fraser fir, concolor fir and blue spruce.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Christmas tree industry is expecting an uptick in tree sales, as families switch from fake trees to either cutting their own or choosing a precut one.

“I have been seeing those news stories. It seems that people are trying to start a new tradition - and this one is outside where it is safe,” Wentz said. “I have seen a mixture of familiar faces and new ones.”

Traditions

Mandy and Bill Ehrig began their Christmas tree tradition long before the pandemic. Their family does not spend the day after Thanksgiving in a mall, but rather at Old Homestead Tree Farm in Lehighton.

“We don’t like shopping on Black Friday, so this has been our tradition. Our house has been decorated for two weeks,” Mandy Ehrig said.

Even though the family of four has moved from Albrightsville to Dunmore, they return every year to the farm owned by Glenn Beers and his family.

“It’s been in our family since the days of the William Penn land grant. I am excited for the tree selling season every year,” Beers said.

The farm is 220 acres, of which 100 acres are trees, he said. The farm has concolor fir, Fraser fir, Douglas fir, Canaan fir and blue spruce tree species.

“It is pretty here. They have the best ones and the most healthy-looking ones around,” Mandy Ehrig said.

They spent about 20 minutes walking around looking for the perfect Fraser fir. They sought one at least 9 feet tall because they have high ceilings in their home.

“We go crazy decorating for Halloween and Christmas. Bill does the outside and I decorate the inside,” she said.

Their sons, 8-year-old Brecken and 7-year-old Anders, love to help both parents with the decorating.

“Black Friday weekend is always a busy sales time for us,” said Beers. “It seems people are decorating earlier, and it fits into their schedule better while they’re off from work and school.”

Many families were moving about Old Homestead, scoping out the perfect tree for their home.

“It our family tradition to come here on Black Friday,” said Debbie Girgenti of Long Pond. “It’s a very family-friendly farm and their trees are neatly shaped.”

She and husband Frank got a 7-foot Douglas fir for their home, which they share with daughter, Cassie, and her 8-month-old daughter, Amelia.

Girgenti’s other three daughters and their families were also in the field selecting Christmas trees for their homes.

Business as usual

Inside the store area, two cashiers were ringing up customers and answering questions.

“I love all the holiday spirit and seeing the families’ happiness with their trees,” said cashier Ashley Mosier during her third Christmas season working at the farm.

“I have not seen a lot of big groups. It has been mostly individual families,” said Troy DeHaven, who co-owns DeHaven’s Christmas Tree Farm in Saylorsburg with his brother, Gary DeHaven. “Our sales have been mostly cut your own trees.”

They have about 45 acres of trees, which are Douglas firs, concolor firs and blue spruce.

Precautions in place

The COVID-19 pandemic has not affected how the trees are grown or taken care of, but it has been a challenge on the sales end.

“You still have to function and run your business while being safe,” Beers said.

Normally, Santa Claus visits the tree farm through the holiday season. This year, he will not be making appearances.

“We are asking guests to practice social distancing and wear the masks. There are hand sanitizing stations and the tables by the concession stand are 6 feet apart,” Beers said.

There are reminder signs throughout the areas where there may be a higher volume of guests, such as by the cash registers and by the concession stand, which is open and selling refreshments.

Mask-wearing, hand sanitizing stations, frequently cleaning high-contact areas and social distancing practices are also in place at the other two farms, in addition to other precautions.

“We have had to adjust things like the handling of our free refreshments,” Wentz said. “This year, a team member is handing out cookies, coffee and cocoa.

Employees have their temperature taken at the start of their shift, and sales occur at an outside window instead of inside the building this year, DeHaven said.

Santa will not come to his farm, and there will be no fire pits, tailgating or wagon rides this year.

“Everyone is social distancing and wearing masks. For the most part, everyone is doing their part to follow the safety measures,” he said. “We always allow families to bring their pets. I have seen a lot of families taking photos with their pet and their tree.”

Industry shortage

Nationwide, there is a shortage of Christmas trees despite the high demand.

“Tree farmers are getting older and retiring. Thus, the demand is up, but the supply is down,” Beers said.

He recommends that people get their tree early, while they have an array to choose from.

“If you come here to get your tree, we have everything except the decorations for it,” he said.

Weather’s impact

“The weather is the key to sales. If there is no rain or snow that day, the sales go up. If it rains or snows, the sales go down. We don’t make up the loss,” Beers said.

This weekend, temperatures were in the upper 40s and all three days were full of sunshine. All three tree farms had steady sales.

This was not the case last year.

“Last year we had an ice storm, and everyone went home. Gary and I always hope for cold weather and sunshine in December - and no snow until the week of Christmas,” DeHaven said.