Tree sales not just chicken feed for Loma Vista Farm
The good news for the real C hr istma s tree industr y: Thanks to COVID-19, more people are staying home during the holidays, seeking comfort with a traditional tree, perhaps slowing the increase demand of the dreaded aluminum option.
The bad news: Because of Oregon fires, there could be a shortage.
On the other hand, people are getting an apparent jump, barely waiting for dishes from Thanksgiving to be washed before loading the Noble or Douglas Fir onto the hood of the car.
The season is running approximately six to seven days ahead of previous years, said McKenzie Cook, who ships between 1.8 million and 2 million trees a year combined from McKenzie Farms in Oregon and Happy Holiday Christmas Trees in North Carolina.
“We’ve never seen the demand like we’ve had this year,” Cook told the Associated Press.
Ditto, said Arlene Hoffman, a volunteer veteran and board member at Loma Vista Farm in north Vallejo.
Hoffman said 27 trees were sold to launch the annual fundraiser on Black Friday compared to 21 trees in 2019.
Though Hoffman’s happy about early sales that helps fund the animals’ feed and care, she lamented that the farm only received 190 trees this year compared to 230 last year.
“Our regular supplier lost everything because of the Oregon fires,” Hoffman said. “Fortunately, he made a call for us and got someone who could supply us with some beautiful trees.”
Hoffman said it’s already obvious there’s less competition for Christmas tree sales, with the Benicia Camel Barn and St. Dominic’s in Benicia deciding not to offer a tree lot.
“We’ve had 11 families from Benicia come in and get trees,” Hoffman said.
One Benicia family — John, Kathy and son Peter Hurst — surveyed the product early Saturday.
“We’re on a mission to get a tree,” Kathy Hurst said. “We usually do it a day after Thanksgiving, but we were busy.”
Some friends told the Hursts about Loma Vista Farm.
“This helps us and it’s good that it helps the farm,” John Hurst said.
Former Vallejo Mayor Tony and Helen Intintoli also supported the farm with a tree for their 5-year- old great grandson.
“We wanted to give the little one a tree and show him the animals,” Helen said. “This is the
best place to get a tree, for sure.”
Vallejoans Ha and Phuong Dang walked out with the perfect-size tree for their 3-year- old daughter, Devin.
“We were looking for a smaller tree .. whatever was available,” Phuong Dang said, aware of Loma Vista Farm after “I saw someone post it on the Vallejo-Benicia mommies group. It’s best to give back to
our community … and get a tree in return. It works out.”
Though seven- year Vallejoans, the Dangs had never visited the farm or bought a tree from its annual sale.
“This is a chance to do both,” Phuong said.
“Usually, we get a tree two or three weeks before Christmas. This year, we wanted to get a
jump-start,” Ha Dang said, adding that bringing some joy during the pandemic “had a lot to do with it.”
Loma Vista’s sales go until Dec. 19 unless the trees sell out first, Hoffman said.
It goes beyond the money raised, said Richard Nichols, 83, Hoffman’s “right-hand man.”
“No. 1, it’s Christmas time. We’re surrounded by Christmas items. Mostly, it’s helping people buy the trees,” Nichols said. “They’re smiling. And we
know one thing, the kids are smiling and playing. That’s fun.”
Half way through the day, Nichols said he “feels hopeful for the future, hopeful we’ll sell a lot of trees. That keeps me going.”
By the end of the day? “I’m tired … but it’s worth it,” Nichols said.
Loma Vista Farm is open for Christmas tree sales Thursday through Sunday, noon to 5 p.m., 150 Rainier Ave, Vallejo.
For more, visit lomavistafarm.org.
“No. 1, it’s Christmas time. We’re surrounded by Christmas items. Mostly, it’s helping people buy the trees. They’re smiling. And we know one thing, the kids are smiling and playing. That’s fun.”
— Richard Nichols, 83, Hoffman’s “right-hand man.”