The quest for the perfect tree begins

The day after Thanksgiving is more than a retail shopping extravaganza; it is the official start of the Christmas tree season.

Today is the day South Sound's U-cut Christmas tree farms open their tree lots and fields to the public, inviting people to spend some of their holiday money on a Christmas tree they select and cut themselves.

A survey of several of the lot operators suggested that tree prices are comparable to last year's and cover a lot of ground, depending on the size of the tree and the species.

But when it comes to demand for their product, Christmas tree farmers aren't sure about what to expect this year, given the economic hardships so many South Sound families are enduring.

"I don't really know what's going to happen," Pleasant Glade Tree Farm owner Bob Davis said as he prepared for what he hopes is a steady stream of customers. "But I'm guessing next weekend and the following weekend, we'll be just mobbed."

Here's one theory: While consumers may pare back on the number of presents they buy this holiday season, they'll still need a tree to put them under.

"Most people are going to get a tree, even in tough economic times," said Tami Hunter, whose family operates Hunter's Christmas Tree Farm on Yelm Highway.

Each tree farm has its own loyal clientele, Davis said.

"Some of my customers are the kids of my original customers when I opened in 1994," he said.

It's a holiday tradition for some families to get a Christmas tree while they are together during the Thanksgiving weekend, Hunter said.

"It becomes a huge family event," she said.

The most popular Christmas trees continue to be noble and grand firs, ranging in size from about 6 feet to 8 feet, Davis said. He sells nobles for $42.95 and grands for $36.95, regardless of height.

For the budget-conscious tree shopper, it's possible to find small pine trees for about $10, said Don Tapio, owner of Christmas Valley Tree Farm near Rochester.

Tapio, a longtime county extension agent with Washington State University, said Thurston County is great Christmas tree-growing country.

"We have good soils (and) sufficient rainfall, and most of the growers are highly skilled," he said.

Tapio offered a couple of tips for preserving cut Christmas trees once they arrive home:

• Cut a thin slice off the base of the tree before putting it into the water-filled tree stand. This helps the tree absorb water and stay fresh.

• Check the water level in the tree stand regularly. A 6-foot noble or Fraser fir can soak up 4 quarts of water daily during the first week.