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Picking the perfect tree
Posted: 11.28.2009 at 5:17 PM
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Teal's Tree Farm open for season

BARK RIVER -- While it's not "beginning to look a lot like Christmas" outside, people are still putting up decorations along with their Christmas trees.

In Bark River, one tree farm is working to fill demand from Wisconsin and Illinois wholesalers, while offering trees to Upper Peninsula residents.

Instead of picking one from the front lot, like they did in past years, Selena Mulder and her family decided to venture out into the field at the Teal's Tree Farm to pick one out, then cut it down.

"It was fun," said Selena.  "It was a lot easer than I thought it would be because I gave my husband the saw."

And she's not the only one in search of a live tree.  Tree farm owner, Joe Teal, said wholesale demand across the Midwest is up this year.

Right now his employees are filling three semis a week to drop off at locations as far south as Chicago.

"We do things that are shipped out in crates, that florists want a certain length," said Teal.  "So, when they do get it, they can use it right away in flower arrangements, that type of stuff."

The tree farm offers a horse carriage to take people through the seven tree varieties until they find the perfect one.

"The first and most important thing is how tall is my living room ceiling," Mulder said, "and I like to pick one that's not too picky to decorate and holds the decorations well."

Paxton Johnson looks forward to picking their family tree every year.

"I just like putting them up in my living room and putting the presents under them and decorating them," said the Escanaba resident.

If you want a Spruce for your Christmas tree, it's recommended you wait a few weeks.  They dry up quickly, so it's best to wait until a little bit before Christmas.

And if you buy a tree now but want to wait a while to put it up, that's OK.  Teal says just cut a little of the trunk off to help the tree suck up water. 

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