Christmas tree shopping
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Where are we buying our christmas trees?
by Fred Harteis
The National Christmas Tree Association (NCTA) predicts that tens of millions of real Christmas trees are being sold this season. Where are we going tree shopping?
Some of us are traveling over the river and through the woods to give our children a country Christmas experience. Twenty-three percent of the of the 24-million consumers will purchase their trees from a Christmas tree farm, while about 62 percent will buy trees from a retail lot.
Internet tree purchases are also on the rise. We have become used to purchasing holiday items over the internet. This year more Americans than ever before are reaching for their mouse rather than their car keys when it’s time to get the tree. The NCTA says about 300,000 consumers will purchase their real tree over the Internet or by mail order.
Out of the box Christmas tree:
An estimated 46 million households plan to use a new or used artificial tree this season instead of a real tree.
Another 22 million households don’t plan to have a Christmas tree.
Most Popular Trees – Fraser Fir - Winner
The most frequently purchased live tree is the Fraser fir. It’s a native southern fir and very similar to Balsam fir. This fir has dark green needles, 1/2 to 1 inch long and ships well. The tree has excellent needle retention along with a nice scent. Fraser fir was named for Scot botanist John Fraser who explored the southern Appalachians in the late 1700's. (photo)
Douglas Fir – 2nd Place
Second place goes to the Douglas Fir. The tree was named after David Douglas who studied the tree in the 1800's. One interesting fact is that it’s not a true fir but actually has its own unique classification. Unlike true firs the cones on Douglas fir hang downward. Douglas fir grows cone-shaped naturally, has 1 to 1-1/2 inch needles and has a sweet scent when crushed. The Doug fir tree is shipped to and found in nearly every tree lot in the Unites States.
Balsam Fir – 3rd Place
Balsam fir is a beautiful pyramidal tree with short, flat, long-lasting, aromatic needles. Balsam fir has a nice, dark green color and very fragrant. The tree was named for the balsam or resin found in blisters on bark and which was used to treat wounds in Civil War. (photo)
Harteis/Florence (IBOAI)
IBOAI, lead by 2004 board president, Fred Harteis and vice president Billy Florence, the official trade association, serves and protects the business interests of Quixtar powered IBO’s throughout North America.
Fred Harteis owns Biznet Productions and Harteis International.
Billy Florence leads the Team DCI TEAM and owns EQuad News www.e-quadnews.com
On the net www.realchristmastrees.org, Kamaron Institute www.kamaron.org