How a local Christmas tree farm is gearing up for the holiday season
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Just in case you thought this year was going by fast, we’re just 98 days out from Christmas.
Yes, it’s still practically summer here in the south, but Christmas tree farmers are gearing up.
It might be sunny and 80 degrees, but some say it’s never too early to start getting ready for Christmas.
“It’s a very busy time of year for Christmas tree farmers,” said Matthew Gay, owner of Gay’s Christmas Tree Farm.
That’s if you own a Christmas tree farm of course.
“We’re finalizing all of our numbers with the furs that we bring in,” said Gay. “We got those finalized, but then you’re also getting all your supplies, your netting, your stands, flock material. Then with the tree flocking, we do a lot of that. You start getting that today or this week.”
He is gearing up and getting ready with so many trees to trim.
Then your trimming, trimming, trimming and trimming,” he said.
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“I got several, 1000 to trim within the next month. I’m still keeping the grass cut and all that,” Gay said.
So much to do that News 12′s Audrey Dickherber even stepped in to help.
He’s doing whatever it takes to help continue holiday traditions for families, despite a tough few months.
“July 6, 10 p.m. We were at Edisto Beach. I got a phone call that said, ‘Matt, your house is on fire,’” said Gay.
Luckily no one was hurt, but it displaced them from their home for the next year.
“This is our 23rd year of selling trees. We have a lot of customers that have been coming for 23 years, and I would not miss the opportunity to provide them with the next tree for this year. You just have to be resilient. We had a little setback with the house fire, but everything else goes on. You just, you move on,” he said.
Gay isn’t letting anything get in the way of seeing the smiles on the family’s faces when they pick out their tree and take it home.
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“It’s a labor of love. You have to get out here and do it. And the reward is when customers come out and, you know, you see repeat customers coming back. I’ve got some friends that come every year to get trees, so we’ve kind of got to know them,” said Gay.
The Christmas tree farm officially opens up for the holiday season on Nov. 23.
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