Kansas City, MO - After the turkey is served, and perhaps before it's even settled, lots of people bundle up and head out in search of the perfect Christmas tree to place in their homes.
Ben Rauch knows a thing or two about Christmas trees. He owns the Five Oaks Christmas tree farm in Higginsville, about an hour east of Kansas City. Rauch says he's fielding calls from people concerned the pandemic has also caused shortages of trees.
"A lot of people will call and ask if we are having a shortage, but we have lots of trees this year. Just not as many of the tall trees," said Rauch.
Rauch and his brother bought the Christmas tree farm from their parents. He said planting the tree seedlings begins in the Spring. And the work continues through the Summer, growing as many trees as possible so shoppers can find the perfect one.
"It's pretty deceiving in the field. People say they want a big tree. Once you get an eight or nine foot tree and put it on the stand, it can be too tall," added Rauch.
Lots of work to be done during the holidays, of course, but as it's a family business, Rauch said they also know how to have their fun:
"We are all cousins working together. We share pictures on Facebook, wrap our little cousins up in twine. We are always laughing," said Rauch.
And his family is not the only one he enjoys seeing at the tree farm every year.
"A lot of customers are return customers and we get to see them for the past 20 years we've been open and watching them with their families now," said Rauch.
The Christmas tree farm opens for business on Black Friday.
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