Christmas tree farms are bright spots in an otherwise gloomy retail market this year. With most families sticking close to hearth and home, holiday decorating has started earlier and become more elaborate. Harvesting your own Christmas tree is an outdoor holiday activity that families can safely enjoy together, and they are coming out in droves to do just that.
The Urquhart Christmas Tree Farm is celebrating its thirtieth year in business with their highest sales ever. “This virus has been beneficial to the outdoor industry,” says owner Brian Urquhart. Other farms, he says, “have sold everything in three weekends.”
While families still select and cut their own trees, some of the details are a little different this year. The Urquharts are having patrons hike to the field and haul back their trees, rather than pulling them in a wagon by tractor, and have introduced social distancing measures including in-car contactless checkout, and. Families can also cut and pay for trees during the week when there is no staff. “People are happy to be outside,” Urquhart says “We started to plant trees in 1983 and I thought it was a reforestation project, but my wife said no we’re going to sell them! And this is our 30th year.”
Another change: Urquhart and his wife, Sue, won’t be handling the sales. “I had my 80th birthday a couple of months ago and this virus is dangerous for people our age so we’re laying low this year,” he explains. Instead, they have thrown the reins to their children, grandchildren, and their significant others. “It’s going great,” he says. I’m very very happy to see the whole family involved and I assume that will take its course and they will take over completely soon.
Urquhart’s Christmas Tree Farm
10050 Jerusalem Road, Chelsea, MI 48118
www.urquharttreefarms.com
Email: [email protected]
(734) 433 – 8733
Hours:
Friday, Saturday, & Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The Westman’s Christmas Tree Farm in Dexter is also having a spectacular year “We have been overwhelmed with the community support,” owner Tammy Westman says. “Our business was up 200% on Thanksgiving weekend when many of our fir trees found wonderful homes. We still have lots of spruce varieties available.
“We usually don’t sell out of species. but this year we have, due to many new customers who have never had a live tree coming out and enjoying the magic of the tree farm.” For elderly patrons and for those with health concerns, they are offering hours by appointment. And, Westman says, “we still plan on being open until Christmas Eve, as we have always done.”
Westman’s Christmas Tree Farm
www.westmanschristmastreefarm.com
8000 Chamberlin Road
Dexter, Michigan 48130
734-426-2476 (Recorded information)
734-646-7062 (Bill’s Cell phone)
Hours:
Monday through Friday, 3:30 p.m.. – dark.
Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. – dark.
Other hours by appointment