Posted: 12.09.2011

This weekend may very well be one of the busiest for Wisconsin Christmas tree growers. That's what Jim Dohner of Baraboo is guessing.

In a conversation with Pam Jahnke, Dohner said that sales are right on target for 2011 so far.  Dohner said his Christmas tree operation just outside of Baraboo - Christmas Treeland - opted to keep prices unchanged from a year ago.  "What I'm noticing is that people seem to be buying shorter trees this year compared to a year ago,"  according to Dohner.

Dohner said this year's crop looks excellent!  Last year the fir trees suffered after a frost in May - but this year things look excellent.

What about the lack of snow around Wisconsin - does that make a difference?  "We actually do better when there's no snow on the ground,"  according to Dohner.  "It gets people in the spirit if there's snow - but they enjoy the dry weather too." Most customers today don't want to trudge through snow or mud to cut their own tree.  Dohner sells most of his trees fresh cut instead of cut-your-own because of the service.  He continues.  "They have 15 minutes - they can come and grab and tree and be on their way."

Dohner says while his business is good, he laments that there's not more new growers entering the field.  "The sad thing is that the growers are getting older and going out of the business."  But Dohner sees a positive future.  "Excellent opportunity that wants to work and start.  You could have a really nice operation with 10-15 acres, but it requires physical labor."

You can hear Jim Dohner's perspective on this year's Christmas tree season by clicking here.

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