JANESVILLE, Wis. (AP) - Christmas trees vendors in Wisconsin said returning customers have helped keep their businesses running as usual while the number of trees sold nationally declines.
The state’s sales have been normal, although in recent years they’ve have fluctuated, Wisconsin Christmas Tree Producers Association executive secretary Cheryl Nicholson told The Janesville Gazette (https://bit.ly/2hPyers).
Vern Nauman, a volunteer at Toeele-in-Nursery in Janesville, said family-owned lots often see the same families year after year.
“The fun part is out there selling to the public and seeing their happiness when they come out and get a tree and their excitement,” Nicholson said.
She noted Wisconsin and the rest of the U.S. sold more trees in the early 2000s. Wisconsin also had nearly 33,500 acres of Christmas trees in 2007 compared to the more than 23,600 acres this year.
Nicholson attributed the decline to the 2008 financial crisis and housing crash because families were cutting costs.
“The economy plays a big part in tree sales because if people don’t have jobs or they’re not making as much money, the Christmas tree may not be the thing they need to have,” she said.
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Information from: The Janesville Gazette, https://www.gazetteextra.com
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