TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Tree Buying Can Be A Lot Of Fun

ADVERTISEMENT

By SARAH ROTHWELL, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 5, 2007

Updated: 12/03/2007 06:55 pm

TEMPLE TERRACE - While a variety of plastic holiday trees line the aisles at stores, many tree-shoppers are out looking for the real thing.

Fresh tree lots opened in late November, including those at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Temple Terrace and St. James United Methodist Church in New Tampa. The lots offer a variety of trees, ranging from Fraser to Douglas firs, and proceeds benefit their ministries.

"It's the smell," said Corpus Christi lot manager Chris Flynn. "When you walk into a home with a real tree, your nose just goes off the charts. That smell says Christmas."

Corpus Christi has dabbled in the Christmas tree business for more than 20 years. The church typically sells 500 or more trees a year. Flynn began managing the lot in 2001 and says he serves countless repeat customers.

"Its fun seeing the same faces come back again and again," he said. "I've seen children grow up over the years."

On Nov. 27, Kelly Dang visited the Corpus Christi lot with her husband, Thuy, and their 2-year-old son. She looked at a variety of trees. Flynn held them up side by side and encouraged her to touch each one. After careful consideration, Dang chose a 7-foot Fraser fir.

"I like to put effort into choosing my tree," she said. "You only get to decorate for the Lord's birthday once a year."

"She picked it in record time," Thuy Dang said with a smile.

Flynn said most of his customers look at several trees before finding the perfect one. He prides himself on offering a wide selection. Trees range in height from 2 to 18 feet. Prices are from $26 to $200. In addition to firs, Scotch pines and spruce trees are available.

Flynn selects trees from farms in North Carolina and Michigan. The trees are delivered by truck weekly throughout the holiday season. They arrive cold to ensure freshness.

"Customers can run their fingers through the trees, and the needles won't fall off," Flynn said.

Flynn and his six crew members receive hourly compensation for their work. Still, they aren't in it for the extra wages.

Brian Cholnik considers working the lot fun.

"I'm from up North, and I miss that winter Christmas feeling," he said. "This is the closest I get to that in Florida."

Flynn lights up like a Christmas tree when he steps on the lot.

"I get that warm feeling," he said.

At St. James United Methodist Church, volunteers feel the same way. Since the church began selling trees 10 years ago, many of the same people have signed up to volunteer time and time again. They handle everything from sales to loading.

Craig Thomas has helped since the beginning. This year, the church asked him to lead the project.

"It's like when a kid asks you for gas money: They needed help, and I helped," he said. "It's for a very good cause."

This year, proceeds from the lot will benefit the Fusion youth ministry. Trees cost $49 to $120. Mainly Fraser firs are available.

Every year, tree broker Linda Worthington orders the trees for St. James. She then visits the church to make sure everything goes smoothly.

"I love meeting all the different people and volunteers," she said. "I love the camaraderie of the season."

For Thomas, being at the lot reminds him of the meaning of the season.

"It's not about the trees," Thomas said. "It's about being able to talk to people, to ask them what we can pray for them about."

Thomas, like Flynn, can't imagine the holidays without a real tree.

"It's the smell when you walk into the house," he said. "It's turning off all the lights and having just the tree lights. During the day, you sometimes forget it's Christmas. The tree reminds you."

Sarah Rothwell can be reached at (813) 865-4845 or srothwell@ tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT