Christmas tree sales booming at local farm, farmer shares tips on tree safety

With Christmas only 16 days away, the Lazy Acres Fun Farm is prepared for holiday shoppers. Michael May says they planted 800 Christmas trees back in January and they are going fast.

“Right now we have sold out of our trees that are six and a half foot and taller. We still have some that are six and six and a half below,” said Michael May, Owner Operator of the Lazy Acres Farm. ”This Saturday will be our last day for tree sales. We expect to be sold out by this coming Saturday.”

After you take your tree home for display, keeping it properly hydrated is one step for its safety. May says an eight foot tree could drink up to one to two gallons of water per day.

“The most important thing you can do for a live tree is as soon as you get it home, before you put it in your stand, cut about half an inch off of the bottom of the tree and that allows the tree to open up and start drinking,” said May. “What happens is, when that tree is cut, it starts to send sap down to seal that injury.”

While maintaining your Christmas tree, using LED lights are a way to go. May says you should follow these tips to keep your tree safe.

“Don’t put your tree in front of a south facing window because that sunshine will definitely dry out the tree,” said May. “Also, don’t put it near a fireplace and don’t put it directly underneath an overhead vent.”

The Lazy Acres Farm is forty years old this year and not only do they sell Christmas trees this time of year, but they also plan some fun events during the holidays.

“This is our 6th season for our Christmas lights show. It’s our best ever. We’ve got just thousands and thousands of Christmas lights and we have guests coming from Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama--all over the south this year. People are looking for opportunities to get outside and spend time with family and Lazy Acres in Lights is a good opportunity for that,” said May.