Christmas tree lot operators hope sales pick up this weekend

With snow in the forecast, toy soldiers marching along Bellevue Way and Christmas tree lots scattered around the city, there is no denying the holiday season’s upon us.

In past years, Christmas tree retailers have counted on the boom of sales which accompany the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Blame the shortened time frame between the two holidays this year or the current state of a dwindling economy, either way one thing is for sure- the Christmas tree lots are feeling a shortage: not of trees, but of customers.

“It’s been an interesting year because it’s a shorter season; Thanksgiving came really late. We don’t know if we missed our big weekend or if this is our big weekend coming up,” Mike Wehrle explained, who has run the tree lot from R&R Rentals in Bellevue for the past 13 years. His trees are custom delivered in weekly increments from Onalaska Tree Farm off I-5, just south of Centralia.

Wehrle estimates sales to be down roughly 10 to 15 percent, dependent on how the next several weeks go leading up to Christmas.

Wehrle owns MJW Services Inc., a landscaping company with a large list of clients from Medina and the Bellevue area. During the holidays, he trades in his shovel for a hefty chainsaw, ideal for cutting through thick tree trunks.

“One thing that we do differently is that we sell a lot of large trees, 15-to-20 footers, and we do delivery and set-up. At times it can take four or five of us to set up a large tree like that in the homes in Medina, commercial accounts and churches.”

The tree lot is open seven days a week from 10 a.m to 8 p.m leading up to Christmas day. On weekends, Wehrle employs up to eight workers to help him cut, tie, load and deliver trees. His lot also sells wreaths and garland.

“A Christmas tree is something that most people feel they have to have,” he said. “You can skip on the presents but you need a center piece for the family to gather around.”

Brian Smith, a tree-salesman at the Christmas tree lot which sits on the edge of the Sears parking lot in the Overlake area, has noticed the slowdown as well.

“It’s been on the slower side but this weekend will be slammed. I’ll bring in other workers to help wrap and load trees,” said Smith, who sells douglas firs, nobles and balsam firs from the Noel Tree Farm.

He points to hard economic times as being the main factor in the low sales this year.

“Two years ago they couldn’t give me enough trees to sell. I sold something like $35,000 worth of trees at a previous lot,” he said. “This year the prices are going up and the economy is going down so it’s difficult.”

Although the price tag may be slightly higher, Smith still favors a thick Noble with rich green pines as one of his top picks from the lot. A 7-foot noble fir sells for $69.

“We carry a nice variety of trees with price tags that range depending on the type of tree and size. We have something for everyone,” Smith said.

The fate of the Christmas tree lots now lies in the upcoming weekend.

“You never know, this season may turn around yet,” said one of Wehrle’s workers, Adam Audette. “There’s been rumors that people are choosing to stay home this year instead of taking off for vacation somewhere,” he whispered with a grin. “That could be in our favor.”

Lindsay Larin can be reached at llarin@bellevuereporter.com or at 425-453-4602.

Contact Bellevue Reporter Staff Writer Lindsay Larin at llarin@bellevuereporter.com or 425-453-4602.

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