Eastern Iowa Christmas tree industry weathering economic storm

Now that the Thanksgiving celebration has passed, many Americans and Eastern Iowans look forward to another holiday tradition: flocking to various tree farms to get the perfect Christmas tree.

The National Christmas Tree Association says some 27 million farm-grown trees were bought last year.  And that number is expected to hold steady this holiday season.

With so many trees to choose from, it's a family affair to pick the right one.

"We come out every year to get a tree from here (Hoffman Tree Farm in Marion)," said tree shopper Shannon Cottrell. "Sometimes we go walking around and sometimes we just go into the barn."

Hoffman has 25 acres of land with 10,000 to 15,000 trees waiting for a new home.  But that goal comes with the economy standing in the way.

"You can get a tree for $25 or $30.  Usually people are going to get a tree,” said Hoffman Tree Farm co-owner Dan Hoffman.

A report released by the National Christmas Tree Association says families only spent about $36.12 on a tree in 2010, compared to $40.92 the previous year.

The Cottrells paid about $34 for theirs, but Shannon Cottrell says it's not because of the price tag.

"We just kind of look at the trees and we just kind of like the Scotch pine,” said Cottrell.

That same report shows fewer Americans buy artificial trees, with a 30 percent drop in sales last year compared to 2009.

"Its fun for the kids to come out versus putting up an artificial tree,” said Cottrell.

The Christmas tree industry seems to be weathering the economic storm in Eastern Iowa, but real storms are taking their toll.

"A lot of them are knee high because we did lose so many for the three wet years previously, so we're kind of in a re-growing period,” said Hoffman.

Hoffman says the next three weeks will be the busiest for the tree farm.