Wet weather putting damper on Christmas tree sales

MENDON, Mass. — 'Tis the season! Now that Thanksgiving is over, many families will take part in the age-old tradition of picking out the perfect Christmas tree, but recent rain is affecting the tree-buying experience.

It's officially the fourth wettest fall on record in Boston and while all that rain is healthy for the trees, it's made a mess for customers.

"The mud has really slowed us down many of the customers buy pre-cut trees and they go out here and say you know I can’t do this," said Casey Vandervalk.

Vandervalk has grown Christmas trees on his farm in Mendon since 1994. He says typically, he mows his fields two or three weeks before they open for the season, but since it has been so muddy in the field, the tractors can't get out there and the grass becomes so high it's difficult for people to walk.

Dave Butt also sells Christmas trees at Turkey Hill Farm in Haverhill. The rain has made the needles lush on his trees but has also put a damper on sales.

"It's tough on selling the trees because it makes the parking lots all wet and also holds the people back just a little bit they don’t want to be out in the rain if they can help it," said Butt.

Rain or no rain, tree farmers say the best piece of advice if you're planning on picking out a Christmas tree - be prepared.

"Some come with high heels and we warn them, don't go out there," said Vandervalk.

At Vandervalk Farm and Winery they typically sell about 1,000 trees per season and expect to beat that if the weather cooperates.

Cox Media Group