SUNBURY — Pennsylvania’s Christmas tree growers this year are already anticipating a holiday gift similar to the one they got last year — sales of about $13.9 million, and hordes of consumers interested in decorative items such as wreathes, roping and swags.
The tree-selling season in the Valley began in earnest Tuesday in Mifflinburg at the largest Christmas tree auction in the country, where more than 53,400 trees and accessories sold for about $1 million in less than 48 hours.
“That was a 10 to 15 percent increase over last year,” said Neil Courtney, head auctioneer and manager of Buffalo Valley Produce Auction. “I knew that decorative accessories were already selling well this fall. But I had no idea how things would turn out at this year’s Christmas tree auction. I can safely say it was absolutely the best sales year we’ve ever had. We sold all of our trees in a nine-hour period. I don’t see where the economy greatly affected the final price of our trees.”
Courtney has been auctioning Christmas trees, wreathes and decorative items for 22 years.
“That initial year, we had about 300 trees to sell,” he said. “There were some local farmers who just wanted to make some money. They came to us, and we held an auction. It kept growing and growing after that.”
Through the years, word of the auction grew, until, Courtney said, “this became the place to be on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving to sell your products.”
This year, the auction had sellers from as close as Middleburg and as far away as North Carolina bringing their trees to Mifflinburg.
Buyers came from Maine, West Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, New York, New Jersey and Virginia.
Courtney shook his head in wonderment when asked why the Mifflinburg auction has become the most important Christmas tree auction in the United States.
“Ultimately, people come looking for bargains,” he said. “And they quite often find them. The wholesale price range at this year’s auction was anywhere from $2 to $85 per tree. The $2 trees that we sold are white pines, and that’s exactly what they are worth. We also sold 12-foot Fraser firs for $70 and $85 a tree.”
Brian Winters and his son Allan had come all the way from New Jersey to buy trees for their sales lot near Trenton.
“We come here every year. We rented a truck and will bring back about 10 lots of 50 trees each,” Brian Winters said. “We’re mostly interested in Douglas firs. The prices here are fair for buyers. I’m optimistic about the season ahead. People are buying for their homes, despite the economy in New Jersey.”
Two local sellers also optimistic about the season were Richard and Mary McClellan, who operate McClellan’s Tree Farm, near Middleburg, on the New Berlin Highway.
Contacted on the day of the auction, they could not say what their trees sold for, but Mary McClellan said, “It’s important that we were represented there. We had several hundred lots at the auction. Everyone who grows trees in this area knows that this is where we can sell in bulk amounts.”
The McClellans sell mostly Douglas firs. Their farm has about 35,000 trees planted.
“The season has just started,” said Richard McClellan. “But the price per tree is up slightly this year, and people are starting to buy early. We’re getting phone call orders. I think the sales are on track to at least match other years. We’ve even had some new customers. It’s a good sign. I am cautiously optimistic.
McClellan said he eventually sells about 80 to 85 percent of the trees he plants.
“Of course, they vary in quality and size, and the prices reflect that,” he added.
Allan Potter, of Middleburg, is a buyer. He was at the auction to buy in bulk for the Grace Covenant Church of Middleburg.
“I come both days of the auction,” he said. “The first day I buy wreathes to decorate the church. I bought 16 of them for $8.50 apiece, which I think is a good price. Then, I go to the tree auction as well. Coming here is almost a given. In these economic times, I am looking for the best price and also the best trees I can get for those prices. This is the place to come.”
Abner Dillon, of Centre Hall, also made the trip to the auction. He buys for his civic group, based in State College.
He said, “I rent a truck, and come here for both days. It’s worth it for us. I bought wreathes for $8. I’ll buy two lots of trees.”
Looking out on the 15 acres at the auction grounds filled with cut trees, he held out his arms, pointed out and said, “This is just amazing here. I’ve been coming here for 10 years. Whatever kind of tree you’re looking for, it’s right here.”
News
Related Photos
-
Liz Rohde
Discussion
Brisk sales add glow to season
- News
-
-
Raw milk remains popular, despite illnesses
WASHINGTON — The popularity of unpasteurized raw milk remains strong despite warnings from public health officials about its dangers and outbreaks of bacterial infections. In the latest case untreated contaminated milk from a Pennsylvania farm has sickened 38 people on the East Coast. It's a reminder of the risks of consuming milk bottled straight from the cow.
-
State Supreme Court explains legislative redistricting decision
HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Supreme Court today explained its reasons for rejecting the state's legislative redistricting plan last week, and a justice who disagreed with the ruling said this year's races will have to be held under the existing, decade-old maps.
-
Heinz Endowments fund Flight 93 oral histories
PITTSBURGH — A project to compile oral histories of those connected to the crash of hijacked United Airlines Flight 93 will continue for at least the next three years due to a $225,000 grant from The Heinz Endowments.
-
LARA looks ahead
LEWISBURG -- The Lewisburg Community Pool and spring and summer schedule of events are the big concerns these days for those running the Lewisburg Area Recreation Authority. Officials are confident they finally have the regional recreation authority's financial situation under control.
-
Wirth not first driver to face murder charge
LEWISBURG -- Christopher Wirth isn't the first person to face a third-degree murder charge in connection with a fatal crash in Union County. "A death involving a vehicle can support third-degree murder depending on the acts of the subject," District Attorney D. Peter Johnson said Thursday.
-
Bumpy ride for prison officers
SUNBURY -- It's been a rough week for two Northumberland County Prison commanders who were suspended without pay, had their wages reinstated, were laid off and then rehired. On Monday, Brian Wheary was suspended without pay from his $36,030-a-year position as commander. By Thursday, the 37-year-old was back on the job.
-
Reality TV star ready for visit
SHAMOKIN -- Ron Shirley has never been to Shamokin, has never been to the Valley at all, but he has an idea of what's waiting for him here. "The only thing I expect is to meet friendly, honest people," said Shirley, a star of the hit Tru TV reality series, "Lizard Lick Towing."
-
Masser to seek 2nd term
ELYSBURG -- State Rep. Kurt Masser, a Republican from Elysburg, announced Thursday that he will seek a second term representing the 107th Legislative District in the state House. "I am pleased to announce that I will be seeking a second term to represent the people of our area," he said. "We've accomplished a lot in our first term, but there is so much more to do. I want to keep being an independent voice for our community in Harrisburg."
-
West Milton man arraigned on robbery charges
A West Milton man is the second suspect in an armed robbery at a West Buffalo Township convenience store Saturday night. Michael Gulli, 41, of 310 Broad St., was arrested by Milton state police who said Gulli was involved in pointing a gun at two employees of the Forest Hill Store, on Buffalo Road, in Union County, and threatening to kill them.
-
Show guns for 1,500
LEWISBURG -- Hundreds of long rifles and other Colonial weapons that helped win the Revolutionary War and forge a nation will be on display -- and some, for sale -- today through Saturday at the fifth annual 18th Century Artisan Show.
-
VIDEO: Social media command center helps Super Bowl visitors
Indianapolis is the first Super Bowl host city to utilize the power of Twitter and other social media to help football fans get the most out of football's biggest event.
-
Tim Burns drops out of U.S. Senate race
HARRISBURG — An entrepreneur from southwestern Pennsylvania is dropping out of the race for U.S. Senate now that the Republican Party has endorsed another candidate.
- More News Headlines
-
