In the heart of Pennsylvania farm country, the spirit of the holiday season kicked off this week with a lively auction, drawing a diverse crowd eager to fill their stores with Christmas supplies. At the Buffalo Valley Produce Auction in Mifflinburg, around 50,000 Christmas trees, along with wreaths, crafts, and an array of seasonal items, exchanged hands over two bustling days. Buyers, braving chilly temperatures, turned out in droves, representing retailers from across the Northeast and mid-Atlantic regions.
Auctioneers enthusiastically showcased boxes of ornaments, winterberry bundles, cotton branches, icicle lights, grave blankets, red bows, and tree stands, offering practically everything one might need for Christmas except for food and gifts. Shoppers were on the lookout for popular varieties like the Fraser fir, with many aiming to stock their inventories just in time for the holiday rush.
Cory Stephens, returning for a second consecutive year, shared his excitement about the auction’s offerings. Having received glowing feedback from his customers about last year’s purchases for A.A. Co. Farm, Lawn & Garden—his store located three hours away in Pasadena, Maryland—he invested nearly $5,000 this year. “It’s incredible; it’s changed our whole world,” said Stephens, highlighting the auction’s exceptional quality.
Ryan Marshall from Ward’s Berry Farm in Sharon, Massachusetts, also made a significant investment, spending about $8,000 on decorations for resale, including three skids of wreaths purchased at $29 each, anticipating a profitable return. He praised the auction for both its quality and the opportunity to personally select items for his business.
Marsha Gray, a representative from the Real Christmas Tree Board based in Howell, Michigan, noted a shift in Americans’ Christmas tree buying habits. Nowadays, fewer homes are likely to have live trees, and there’s a growing preference for artificial options. However, she emphasized the enduring appeal of real trees, particularly for families who often want to evoke the traditional scent of a fresh tree during the holiday season. An August survey indicated that 84% of growers did not anticipate increases in wholesale prices for this tree season.
Neil Courtney, the auction manager, mentioned that pricing for farm-grown trees appears to have stabilized, expressing optimism about reversing the trend toward artificial trees. “Long story short — we’ll be back on top of the game shortly,” he said, emphasizing the unique, authentic feel that live trees can bring into homes during the holidays.
Furthermore, a survey from the National Christmas Tree Association revealed that more than 21 million farm-grown Christmas trees were sold in 2023, with a median price of $75. These trees were primarily sourced from “choose-and-cut” farms, chain stores, nurseries, retail lots, nonprofit sales, and online platforms, illustrating the continued demand for real Christmas trees amid changing consumer preferences.
