Don’t wait! Christmas tree sellers say trees are going fast

Reporter: Michelle Alvarez Writer: Matthew Seaver
Published: Updated:
(Credit: WINK News)

If you are looking for the perfect live Christmas tree you may want to rush out now and get it. Tree tent operators are expected to run out and expect to pay more as prices are up 8-10%.

WINK News checked in with three Christmas tree sellers, including the one who set up shop on Thanksgiving day. Two of them said they’re selling trees at a record pace.

Al Mueller, better known as Uncle Al, who owns Uncle Al’s Christmas Trees said people should not wait to get one this year. “We’ve sold through about 80% of our total inventory in record time.”

Mueller has been selling Christmas trees along US-41 in Fort Myers for 31 years. He said he’s got more trees are on the way, but, “I anticipate we’ll be completely sold out by this Sunday.”

While the price of Christmas trees is up, price is not stopping people from buying.

Bob Heath has owned Wisconsin Trees in Fort Myers for 53 years. “The best we’ve ever had. We went wild last Friday, Saturday and Sunday. We could hardly keep up. Now it’s slowed down of course early in the week, which is normal, and it’ll build up towards the weekend again as we bring in the last three loads of trees. But in the 53 years, I’ve never had a weekend like that.”

Heath said he thinks he’ll have trees into next week, but by next weekend he’ll be done selling, just like Uncle Al.

Al’s son Ashton has his own Christmas tree tent in Cape Coral. He said he thinks he’ll be in business close to Christmas. “I think I will definitely have trees the longest, just a variety that someone might be looking for.”

He said he will still have trees to sell because it’s his first year here in Cape Coral.

“I’m new at this location, it’s probably a good thing. Seeing that I’m not going to sell out as quick and I’m going to give my customers the same variety throughout the season.”

So why are trees more expensive this year? Yes, there’s a bit of shortage, but the real increase is coming from sellers passing increased shipping fees.

Their best advice: don’t wait if you really want a real tree this Christmas.

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