WILLISTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Christmas tree farms in Vermont say the weekend after Thanksgiving is typically their busiest time.

Mark Coles of South Burlington gets his Christmas tree every year at Handy Hill Farm in Williston.

“For now we’re going to put it in a bucket, leave it in the garage, let the snow come off and probably put it up next weekend,” Coles said.

He says he always goes to the hill because it’s nicer to cut down his own tree, and he can’t wait for the smell of pine to fill the house.

“We have an artificial tree. So when we go away for the holidays, we put up the artificial tree so we can have it. But the original is much better and smells pleasant. “Obviously we have two new cats this year so it’s going to be an adventure,” Coles said.

This is the ninth year that Handy Hill Farm has grown and sold Christmas trees. The farm has been open for a few weeks this season and more than a dozen people come together every day.

Despite inflation, owner Shawn Handy has been able to keep prices the same, and this year the weather has been favorable for the growing season.

“My Christmas tree farm here, I get into trouble when it’s too dry. When we have the really wet seasons, my trees do great. Since I’m on a hill, the soil here is well drained. So this year was good for me to grow. Most people look for Frasers. They tend to be the ones that hold their needles the longest,” Handy said.

Customers say being able to choose the tree they like keeps them coming back.

“We did it for two years and then last year we went to Ace and got one that was pre-packaged. It just didn’t look as good as the ones growing here,” said Jack Vickers of Maine.

Handy Hill Farm is preparing for next season to plant more trees in the spring.

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