Tree farmers had a good season overall, Isner says

Although the late-spring freeze last year had an effect, local Christmas tree growers and sellers enjoyed another good season overall, according to agriculture officials.

"It was in line with last year (the previous season, 2001), except for those affected by freeze damage who had less to sell," said David Isner, N.C. Cooperative Extension Service Christmas tree agent for Alleghany.

Isner said there was some shortage in inventory cycles; some farmers may have had a low supply of certain sizes, such as six- to seven-foot trees.

Rainfall in the latter part of 2002 was a help. "The trees were fresher because of the wet fall and colder weather. I think most growers had a fresher product," he said.

"I think the Choose & Cut growers had good traffic." With Thanksgiving falling on Nov. 28 - the latest date it can occur — the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas was relatively short. That made Choose & Cut season more concentrated, causing difficulties at times for producers. There were no severe pest problems, Isner said. Deer, however, are a nuisance for many producers. They feed on the tree buds, especially in bad weather. "It makes it difficult to estimate new buds; it's a production problem."

On the whole, though, he added, "It looks good for the future. Inventory should be holding its own, holding steady."

Precise production/sales numbers were not yet available. However, Isner said he is confident that between 500,000 and 1 million trees grown in Alleghany were sold during the season just past. Bill Glenn, a marketing specialist with the N.C. Department of Agriculture's Asheville office, said that in 2001, sales from the state totaled about 4.5 million trees, or $98 million.

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