Local Christmas tree farms are gearing up for another record sales year as they are set to open earlier than usual and expect to close earlier, as well.
Charles Shoup had to close his farm, Still Creek Tree Farm, on Dec. 12 last year after selling out of trees. Shoup said he expects sales to continue to increase this year following a trend that started during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I still think you had a percentage of the population that did not go out (and buy a tree) that will come out this year, so it’s going to compound what you had last year and going to increase the number,” he said. “The holidays is a joyful time of year, people are still wanting more joy in their life because of what the last year and a half has sprung into their lives.”
Talkin’ turkey?: Augusta area restaurants offer Thanksgiving take-out to ease holiday meal-prep stress
Want to dine out on Thanksgiving?: These Augusta-area restaurants will be open
In the past, Shoup liked to wait until Black Friday to open to allow people to enjoy Thanksgiving first, but as demand increases, he doesn’t want to get left behind. Still Creek Tree Farm will have a soft opening Nov. 19 and will officially open for the season Nov. 20.
Snowy Mountain Christmas Tree owner Toby Brown, who has been in the business for 39 years with his father Glenn Brown, said they, too, are getting ready for another big year in tree sales. He expects a shortage of live and artificial trees will increase demand.
Brown said they will be opening Nov .22 at their National Hills and Blanchard Road locations and Nov. 23 at their Carolina Pottery location. In the past, Snowy Mountain would remain open until Christmas Eve but Brown said, in recent years, they’ve sold out of trees by about Dec. 15.
“Last year, we did close a little earlier than we usually do just because of supply and demand. There is still a shortage on real trees, as well. We did run out a little earlier than typical last year and we’ll probably do the same this year,” he said. “I would expect this year we’ll probably be out around the 10th or 15th of December again.”
Gay’s Christmas Tree Farm owner Matthew Gay said he increased production and will have more trees this year than he has ever had available. He plans to open Nov. 20 and take advantage of the fact a lot of people want to buy their trees early.
Last year, Gay had to close on Dec. 9. How long he remains open this year will depend on how many trees he has left.
“Last year, we actually closed early because we sold out of trees, stands and everything,” Gay said. “If that happens this year, we’ll close early. If not, we plan to be open up all the way until Christmas Eve.”
For all three businesses, getting extra trees to supplement those they already have on their farms has been difficult. Shoup said he ordered more trees this year and is contemplating ordering even more, even as prices continue to increase.
“Every wholesaler went up on their prices a percentage, to me which is definitely noticeable and significant when you compound over hundreds of trees,” Shoup said. “The consumer is going to see an increase in prices.”
Brown said they are having challenges getting trees in and had to wait a little longer to open because of shipping delays. Options were also limited compared to years past, and Brown said they’ve had to cut more trees out of their farm to try to get through the last couple of years.
Tom Sawyer, who owns Tom Sawyer’s Christmas Trees in Monetta, S.C., said any shortages will be most noticeable with firs and spruce varieties being brought in from northern states.
“If you’ve been buying a South Carolina-grown tree, you should be reasonably OK on supply,” he said.
All encouraged people to take advantage of farms opening early and get their Christmas tree early, to make sure they get what they want. Gay encouraged people buying a live tree to make sure it is displayed in water, which allows them to stay fresh longer.
Brown said the sooner you buy, the better.
“The selection will be good probably until the weekend after Thanksgiving. After that, you will be on what we call sell-down, where we won’t be bringing any more trees in, it will be just selling what we have on the lots,” he said. “The best advice I could give people is to come early.”
Where to get a Christmas tree
STILL CREEK TREE FARM, at 442 Pine Log Road in Beech Island, S.C. – opens Nov. 19; noon-dark Friday-Sunday, and by appointment weekdays.
Trees: Fraser firs, Virginia pine, White pine, Leyland Cypress, Carolina Sapphire, cedar and potted trees of landscape variety. Wreaths also available. Pricing is from $10-$250.
Call (706) 951-2324 or find them on Facebook.
GURLEY’S CHRISTMAS TREE FARM, 65 Williston Road, Beech Island, S.C. – Open Nov. 19-21 from noon-6 p.m.; Thanksgiving weekend hours 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 26-27 and 1-6 p.m. Nov. 28; Nov. 22-Dec. 23 call or text for hours Monday-Wednesday, 2-6 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 1-6 p.m. Sunday.
Trees: Virginia pine, red cedar and Leyland cypress for the choosing; pre-cut Fraser firs from North Carolina
Call or text (706) 829-5904 or find Gurley’s on Facebook.
GAY’S CHRISTMAS TREE FARM, 2335 Tobacco Road in Augusta – Opens Nov. 20 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; 2-6 p.m. Monday-Friday (closed Thanksgiving Day), 9 a.m.-7 p.m. the Friday after Thanksgiving, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturdays, and 1 p.m. until dark Sundays
Trees: Leyland Cypress, Murray Cypress, Carolina Sapphire, Frasier firs. Wreaths and other Christmas items available. Guests can also enjoy a hayride and bonfire as well as hot chocolate and popcorn on the weekends.
Learn more by calling the farm at (706) 798-3731 or visit gacta.com/farms/gays-christmas-tree-farm.
CLARKS HILL CHRISTMAS TREE FARM, at 39 Bennie Dorn Road, Clarks Hill, S.C. – opens Saturday, Nov. 20, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; 1-5:30 p.m. Sundays, 2-5:30 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturdays; with special hours for Thanksgiving Day from 2-5:30 p.m. and the Friday after Thanksgiving from 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Trees: Virginia pine, Leyland Cypress, Carolina Sapphire, Murray Cypress, Clemson Greenspire and Blue Ice. Wreaths, garlands, centerpieces, tree stands, bows and kissing balls are also for sale.
Find more information at ClarksHillChristmasTreeFarm.com, on Facebook or call (803) 637-3797.
TOM SAWYER’S CHRISTMAS TREES, 402 Uncle Duck Road in Monetta, S.C. – Opens Nov. 21; 1-5:30 p.m. Sunday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturday, with special hours from 10 a.m.-dark the Friday after Thanksgiving
Trees: Virginia pine, white pine, cedar, Carolina Sapphire and Leyland Cypress; pre-cut Fraser firs from North Carolina will be available.
Learn more at www.tomsawyerschristmastrees.com/ or call (803) 673-4520.
SNOWY MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS TREES operates three lots in the Augusta area – opens Monday, Nov. 22.
- 2816 Washington Road in front of the Publix (National Hills)
- 3818 Washington Road in front of Carolina Pottery (Martinez)
- 850 Blanchard Road in Evans
Trees: Fraser firs, flocked trees, wreaths will also be available.
Hours: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Sunday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thanksgiving Day.
Call (706) 699-0224 or visit snowymountainchristmastrees.com for more information.
JAKE’S CHRISTMAS TREE FARM, 1509 Hwy. 25 N in Waynesboro (4 miles out on the left) – opens Nov. 26 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Trees: Virginia pine, Leyland cypress, Murray cypress and Blue Ice. Prices start at $29 for 5-foot trees, $34 for 6-foot tree, $39 for 7-foot, $44 for 8-foot and $47 for 9-foot or taller trees. Tree stands are also for sale.
Hours: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays, 1-6 p.m. Sunday and 3-6 p.m. Monday-Friday. Contact owner Ken Stephens at (706) 526-2206 for more information.
