Bustard’s Christmas Trees has been around for 93 years, and for some it’s a tradition to come here and pick out a tree.
Meanwhile, others travel from out of state to find a better one.
“We were looking for the best place to get the trees, which was about an hour away,” Marie White explained.
The White family traveled from Claymont, Delaware, to Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, hoping to find the perfect tree.
Bustard’s co-owner says their fresh-cut trees range from three feet to even 15 feet tall, with a ton of varieties.
“We have Fraser Fur, Douglas Fur, Norman Fur,” said Glen Bastard, co-owner Tree bustard.
It seems the youngest are the harshest critics.
“We like the wood to be thick on the bottom and thin on top,” explained the Kaufman family.
The price, however, will vary by size and variety, and prices have risen this year.
In accordance with Real Christmas tree board demand is rising, as is spending across the board. They say most manufacturers are citing a five to 15 percent increase in wholesale prices compared to last year.
“Tree prices have gone up, our freight costs have gone up, the overall cost of maintaining trees with gas prices and mowing around them. The cost of vehicles and fertilizers have gone up this year, so of course tree prices had to go up a little bit , – said Drofa.
Experts say the rise in prices is caused by supply chain problems and inflation.
Customers are noticing a sharp increase, but say they have to do their best for the holidays.
“Most of the difference we see in grocery stores is obviously the prices, but you have to choose what makes the most sense. You’re going to shop anyway, you just have to be smart about what you buy,” explained Skippack’s Trish Todd.
Shoppers agree that shopping here is always a pleasure.
“Small local businesses, you got it,” Todd said.
Drofa sold about 700 Christmas trees on Saturday alone.
They will be open until they sell out.
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