Many Vermont Christmas tree farms closed for the season

HUNTINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Closed for the season– that’s what you’ll see at many tree farms across Vermont.

The Purinton Family Tree Farm in Huntington has lots of trees but they’re not for this season.

“The past two seasons demand’s been higher than it ever has been in the past,” said Cody Purinton of the Purinton Family Tree Farm.

Purinton chalks it up to the population growth of Chittenden County. He also says that because of a supply shortage in nurseries eight years ago, farms are just now seeing the effects as those trees reach market size. That means crop yield varies from year to year.

“We plant a certain amount of trees, and we just plan to sell that amount, and that’s when we cut it off,” Purinton said.

The weather plays a big factor in that supply and two soggy summers could mean fewer trees in coming years.

“It’s either way too wet or way too dry. They like a lot of sun and a little bit of moisture along the way, but not too much moisture,” Purinton explained.

The New Hampshire-Vermont Christmas Tree Association recommends farmers grow different varieties of trees to adapt to the changing climate.

“A good steadfast balsam and Fraser fir will grow, you’ve just got to have well-drained soil. So, we’re looking at what the soil is like and where to plant these different trees that we’re getting,” said Nigel Manley of the New Hampshire-Vermont Christmas Tree Association.

But if you’re looking to pick one out on Christmas Eve, you might be met with closed signs.

“It kinda hurts us because we have so many customers who have been loyal to us for such a long time, but we can’t oversell for next year. We’ve got to have trees for them then,” Purinton said.

There are a few places where you can still get trees, like Bakersfield Tree Farm, Split Rock Tree Farm, Sam Mazza’s Farm Market, Peter Lyon and Family Christmas Trees, and the Gardener Supply Company, which only has potted trees left. But most everyone else is closed for the season, preparing their saplings for their time to shine.

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