By Rick Dandes
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.”
