SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - Christmas tree sellers say the coronavirus pandemic and the relatively mild weather are driving early, heavy traffic by shoppers this year.
Some lots, including Baumgartner Family Christmas Trees in Sioux Falls, are running out of trees.
“Because of the nice weather and COVID I think everybody is buying early this year,” owner Kevin Baumgartner tells KSFY-TV.
Wreaths are also selling at a rapid pace.
“Also, any outdoor garland and stuff, we were wiped out in the first week, which is unusual. But it was harder than normal to get it this year,” Baumgartner said. “A lot of the growers and cutters and people who make the wreaths were having a lot of trouble with labor this year. If they didn’t have COVID, some of their people did.”
A tree shortage is also contributing to a quicker season. Riverview Christmas Tree Farm in Canton is already closed for the season because of fewer trees and high demand.
“In the drought of 2012, all the baby trees died, and then this past drought in 2020 we just didn’t get much growth out of our trees and we actually lost some big trees as well,” said owner Todd Gannon.
“I think COVID had a lot to do with it, people really in the Christmas spirit and wanting some positive Christmas joy in their lives earlier than normal this year,” said Gannon.
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