The festive spirit was up for sale this week in the heart of Pennsylvania farm country, where a colossal wholesale auction saw tens of thousands of Christmas trees change hands. The annual two-day event at the Buffalo Valley Produce Auction in Mifflinburg attracted bundled-up buyers from across the Northeast and mid-Atlantic, all vying to supply their garden centres, retail lots, and other outlets ahead of the holiday rush.
A Festive Marketplace in Full Swing
The scale of the operation was immense. Approximately 50,000 Christmas trees, predominantly the popular Fraser fir, were bought and sold by lots and on consignment. The sale didn't stop there; an airplane hangar's worth of wreaths, crafts, and seasonal decorations was also on offer. Auctioneers worked briskly in the chilly air, hawking everything from boxes of ornaments and bunches of winterberry to cotton branches, icicle lights, and tree stands. It was a one-stop shop for everything Christmas, barring the food and presents.
Retailers Bet Big on Holiday Cheer
For the retailers present, the auction is a crucial part of their annual strategy. Cory Stephens, owner of A.A. Co. Farm, Lawn & Garden in Pasadena, Maryland, returned for a second year after his customers raved about the decor he purchased in 2024. He invested nearly $5,000 on the first day, stating, "It's incredible, it's changed our whole world. If you know what you're looking for, it's very hard to beat the quality."
Another buyer, Ryan Marshall of Ward's Berry Farm in Sharon, Massachusetts, spent about $8,000 on various decorations. Among his acquisitions were three skids of wreaths at $29 per piece, and he confidently expected to double his investment. "The quality's good, and it's a place that you can pick it out yourself," he remarked.
The Real vs. Artificial Tree Debate
The auction unfolds against a backdrop of evolving consumer habits. Marsha Gray of the Real Christmas Tree Board, a national trade group, noted that fewer homes now put up a tree, and those that do are increasingly choosing artificial versions. However, she highlighted a key advantage for natural trees: "The main reason people pick a real tree over an artificial tree is the scent. They want the fresh scent of a real Christmas tree in their home." She also pointed out that having children in the house often correlates with the choice of a farm-grown tree.
Despite these market shifts, there is optimism among growers. An August survey by the Real Christmas Tree Board found that 84% of growers did not anticipate a wholesale price increase this season. Buffalo Valley auction manager Neil Courtney observed that farm-grown tree prices have stabilised. He expressed hope for a reversal in the trend towards artificial trees, declaring, "Long story short — we'll be back on top of the game shortly. The live tree puts the real Christmas in your house."
Supporting this outlook, a survey from the National Christmas Tree Association revealed that more than 21 million farm-grown Christmas trees were sold in 2023, with a median price of $75. The survey also detailed where consumers purchased their trees:
- About a quarter were bought at a "choose-and-cut" farm.
- One in five were purchased from a chain store.
- The remainder were sourced from nurseries, retail lots, nonprofit sales, and online.
