By Suzanne Laurent
As soon as the Thanksgiving feast is reduced to leftovers, people start thinking about buying that perfect Christmas tree. Families may be cutting back on gift-giving, but to many it would be unthinkable to forgo the traditional tree.
"People may be limiting their decorating to one tree, instead of putting a second in the family room and another somewhere else in the house," said Dan Hicks owner of Sunnycrest Farms in Londonderry.
Hicks has planted trees for families to cut down on the Sunnycrest property on Adams Road.
"But we're only open for one weekend," Hicks said.
The farm has a limited amount of trees selling for $40 each, any size, and will be open Saturday, Dec. 4 and Sunday, Dec. 5 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Christmas tree dates back to 16th century Germany. Families decorated fir trees with colored paper, fruits and sweets. The tradition spread through Europe and was eventually brought to the United States by German settlers. In 1851, the first Christmas tree stand was set up on a street corner in New York city. Today there are over 32 million Christmas trees sold each year in this country.
"The wholesale market has been strong this year," said Jim Horst, executive director for the New Hampshire-Vermont Christmas Tree Association that has produced and sold trees, wreaths and related products since 1956. "The retail market sales will be reflected in the numbers ordered for next year."
Horst said that prices for cut trees are steady this year.
"It's no time to be raising prices," he said.
Over at Shady Hill Greenhouse and Nursery in Londonderry, balsam trees are priced starting at $39.99 said employee Catherine King.
"Last year was our first year selling trees, along with wreaths, greens and poinsettias," King said. "We ordered 800 trees this year and officially opened for the Christmas season the day after Thanksgiving."
King said customers have been steady and even came in the rain on Monday to buy trees.
Folks can also pick out their holiday trees at one of the local charity organizations' tree sales.
Sampling of local organizations selling trees
St. Mark's Lodge #44
58 East Broadway, Derry
Trees from $25 and up
Wreaths also for sale to benefit Ransford Adah Chapter #3 Order of the Eastern Star
Mon. through Fri., noon to 7 p.m.; Sat. and Sun., 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
St. Mark's Council #10488 of the Knights of Columbus
Chuck's BP Station (formerly Lukoil) on Route 102, Londonderry
$35-$45 each, priced by the foot
Mon. through Fri. 6 to 8 p.m.; Sat. and Sun., 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Derry Lions Club
Corner of Crystal Avenue and Tsienneto Road (near Movie Scene)
Mon. through Fri., 6 to 8 p.m.; Sat., 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sun., 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Londonderry Lions Club
256 Mammoth Road
Thurs. and Fri., 3 to 7 p.m.; Sat. and Sun., 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Some delivery is available
Christmas tree trivia
Christmas trees have been sold commercially in the United States since about 1850.
The tallest living Christmas tree is believed to be the 122-foot, 91-year-old Douglas fir in the town of Woodinville, Wash.
The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree tradition began in 1933. Franklin Pierce, the 14th president, brought the Christmas tree tradition to the White House.
In 1923, President Calvin Coolidge started the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony now held every year on the White House lawn.
Since 1966, the National Christmas Tree Association has given a Christmas tree to the president and first family.
In 1912, the first community Christmas tree in the United States was erected in New York City.
77 million Christmas trees are planted each year.
Other types of trees such as cherry and hawthorns were used as Christmas trees in the past.
Thomas Edison's assistants came up with the idea of electric lights for Christmas trees.
Teddy Roosevelt banned the Christmas tree from the White House for environmental reasons.
Tinsel was once banned by the government. Tinsel contained lead at one time, now it's made of plastic.
The best selling trees are Scotch Pine, Douglas Fir, Fraser Fir, Balsam Fir and White Pine.
Source: www.history.com
