(WWJ) – With three weeks to go until Christmas, this has been one of the busiest weekends for Christmas tree farms in Michigan.
Michigan ranks third in the nation for Christmas tree production with about 2 million per year, pumping an estimated $35-40 million into the state's economy.
Even without snow on the ground and despite rising prices, Michiganders were out getting their trees this weekend. WWJ’s Luke Sloan estimated there were well over 100 people at Arend’s Tree Farm in Grass Lake on Saturday morning.
Vincenzo Vultaggio, a third-generation owner of Vultaggio Royal Tree Farms, tells WWJ his lots in Madison Heights and Chesterfield Township are seeing their busiest weekend of the season.
"This weekend is definitely the busiest weekend. We start setting up the weekend before Thanksgiving and we see a lot of traffic on Black Friday and the weekend after Thanksgiving, but the busiest weekend is probably this weekend," Vultaggio said. "It's a couple weeks out from Christmas, getting a live tree in the house."
Amy Start, Executive director of the Michigan Christmas Tree Association, told WWJ earlier this week there are two effective ways to save money on your trees.
“The way to go with a smaller tree – the taller the tree, the more you’re gonna spend, and also maybe try different tree species,” she said. “In Michigan we grow so many different varieties of Christmas trees. If you have your heart set on a Frasier – and that’s a little pricey – maybe go with something different.”
While the convenience of an artificial Christmas tree may appeal to many, Start says natural trees are much better for the environment.
“They provide cleaner air, the farms. They’re a renewable and recyclable resource, so they’re not staying in a landfill forever like an artificial Christmas tree,” Start said.
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