Amber Boisseau creates an evergreen arrangement at Ray’s Family Farm, which sells trees, wreaths, garland and swags. (Photo by Hope E. Tremblay)
WESTFIELD/SOUTHWICK – With snow on the ground creating a winter wonderland in New England, those who have not already put up their Christmas tree are most likely feeling the holiday spirit and looking for that perfect evergreen.
Whether you’re a blue spruce kind of person or a balsam aficionado, there are numerous local options to find just the right tree for your home. But, don’t wait, because they just might run out.
A Christmas tree shortage has begun to hit the northeast following a 2012 drought that killed many trees that would be ready to cut this year. This resulted in some retailers, such as Kelly’s Home and Garden in Westfield, without trees. Kelly’s still offers a variety of holiday décor and gifts, and owners Brian and Stacey Kelly promise shoppers will still be met with holiday music and smiling faces.
Tree shoppers may find higher prices and fewer options at their usual tree stands, but Westfield and Southwick farms and retailers have varieties of trees at a fair price.
David Pulaski and his family found just the right tree this year at Ray’s Family Farm in Southwick.
Pulaski said normally they find their tree at Kelly’s but when they discovered the store was affected by the tree shortage, they headed to Ray’s.
“We shop at Ray’s at the Farmer’s Market, so we thought why not come here for our tree,” Pulaski said as his son Jacob pointed at a tree, shouting “This is it!”
Ray’s Manager Paige Gosselin said most of their trees come from northwest Vermont and southern Canada. She said the shortage has not affected them, adding they order their trees very early in the year.
Ray’s Family Farm, 723 College Highway, is open 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. Sunday – Thursday and 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Ray’s sells several types of trees in sizes from small table-sized trees to 7-foot and taller. Gosselin said the average price is $50-$60.
The Leary family – Tim, Trista, Aubrey, Taylor and Zachary – found their Christmas tree at Sparrow Farm this year. (Photo by Hope E. Tremblay)
At Sparrow Farm in Hampton Ponds Plaza in Westfield, husband-and-wife owners Caitlin and David Spatcher pride themselves on their selection and customer service.
“If anyone has any questions about Christmas trees, we are happy to help,” said David Spatcher.
The couple purchased the business two years ago and continues the long-standing tradition of selling quality trees, wreaths and swags.
“The previous owner was here 25 years, and I worked for him for 10,” said Caitlin Spatcher, who is a teacher.
Sparrow Farm has not succumbed to the tree shortage, and Caitlin Spatcher said most of their trees are grown locally.
“We continue to have great relationships with local tree growers, so we are able to provide a large quantity of trees from western Massachusetts,” she said.
Sparrow Farm is open from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. weekends and from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. weekdays. They have a variety of sizes, from tabletop trees up to 12 feet, with prices ranging from $8-$100.
“We don’t price by the foot, we price by the quality,” David Spatcher said.
They primarily offer balsams and firs.
Skyline Beer Co., which is opening in its new location at 98 Southwick Road any day now, is bringing back the former Fowler Farms’ tradition of selling Christmas trees.
Owner Lisa Pac said they are open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily with “top-quality Vermont trees.”
Skyline has balsam and fir trees ranging from $45-$90.
Coward Farms, 150 College Highway in Southwick, is open Mondays from 12-4:30 p.m., Tuesday-Friday from 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Coward has pick-your-own or pre-cut trees (Frasier fir, balsams, Concolor fir and Blue spruce), wreaths, kissing balls, swags, garland, primitive ornaments and décor.
Hickory Hill Farm, 325 Montgomery Road, Westfield, is open from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. daily and offers a large selection of trees, with “we cut, you choose” on Saturday and Sunday. Varieties include balsams, Frasier fir and Scotch pines in heights from tabletop to Cathedral. Hickory Hill Farm also has family photo opportunities and a candy cane gift shop.
