Picking out the perfect Christmas tree
-->By: Jennifer Lee
Updated: December 3, 2012
Many of you may have gone out to pick out your Christmas tree over the weekend. But, do you ever think about how tree farmers get ready for the season?
Just like in any other kind of farming, there are many steps involved in maintaining the crops, in this case, Christmas trees! And, one area tree farmer says it's not just a one year process.
Just like the Kirkpatrick's, it's an annual tradition for many Americans, picking out the perfect Christmas tree.
Darlene, Tom and their family friend came out to Massoud's Tree Farm in New Hartford today to do just that.
What seems like a growing trend, the three decided to go out into the woods to pick out their tree. Five minutes into the hunt, they found the one.
It may be easy for customers to pick out trees at the Massoud's Farm, but the owner, Omar Massoud says it takes a lot of work to make the trees presentable.
"There is a lot of mowing and pruning them. What we do is we plant trees every year so we have different stages of growth so we have them every year," said Omar Massoud.
Omar says the farm grows all types of trees to fit different personalities, from a Charlie brown Christmas tree to a 25-footer.
An ideal tree is about 7 and feet tall and to grow one, Omar says it takes 12 to 15 years. And like any other farmer, the Massoud's also face challenges along the way.
"The established trees did just fine. But, the seedlings did not survive this year so we have to replant this year because it was so dry and hot this summer," said Massoud.
The farm plants a couple thousand trees every year and whatever tree doesn't make it to the market to sell- they harvest the tree and strip it to make wreaths. So, nothing goes to waste.
