Family Christmas traditions growing

Trees in hot demand

CHRISTMAS trees are flying out of the ground and into homes faster than ever this season, with a market sale this weekend expected to be over in a whirl.

Lee Ringk, who co- owns Killiecrankie Farm in Glengarry in the state’s north with her husband Chris Ringk, said their yearly sale of hundreds of pine trees last Saturday lasted only 48 minutes.

“We were inundated,” Mrs Ringk said.

“People know they’re going to be staying home this year so they’re emotionally investing in Christmas.”

Mrs Ringk said heading to the farm for the big day has become a family tradition for many regulars over the last 13 years.

“We’ve got people who had young babies years ago and now we’re seeing those kids coming in their cars to collect trees,” Mrs Ringk said.

“There’s a real community atmosphere.

“People have their own traditions of when they put it up, how they decorate it. Some use it to light the first fire for autumn as a tradition.”

Mrs Ringk said the trees sold from between $ 50 and $ 300 each.

In the south, Richmond Christmas Tree Farm sold out of trees for the season on November 11 using an online ticketing system.

But not all hope is lost for those desperate to prop up a tree in the living room this year.

Many local families who may have previously cut their own festive trees in years past had their traditions squashed last year when the Parks and Wildlife Service stopped distributing permits to individuals amid safety concerns.

Wellington Rover scouts, however, are preparing to dedicate several hours this week to chopping down pine trees at the Seven Mile Beach Public Reserve to sell at the Lauderdale Harmony Market this Saturday.

Scout member Luke Dimsey said felling and gathering the trees was “good fun” and somewhat of a yearly ritual.

He said trees would sell between 10am and 3pm, but anticipated stock could clear out rapidly.

“It’s first- in, best- dressed,” he said.

“Unlike previous years we’ll only be selling them at the market so once they’re gone, they’re gone.”

Harmony Market will run 10am- 3pm at 450 South Arm Rd, Lauderdale.