One U.P. business has been preparing for the big holiday since last spring
SPAULDING -- Although most aren't quite in the Christmas spirit yet, one U.P. business has been preparing for the big holiday since last spring. They're heading into their busiest months of the year, shipping out their product across the Midwest.
Over 4,200 trees are being cut, tied, and shipped out of Du Bois and Sons Tree Farm in Spaulding and down to Illinois and Wisconsin.
While most trees are sent out of state, some stay here in the U.P. .
"It pretty much starts in April and gets done on the 23rd of December," explained owner, Greg Du Bois.
All this work is routine for a business that's been going since the '40s. But besides the tree business, a small crew also produces garland and wreaths...lots of them.
Each year, the crews produce 40 miles worth of garland and close to 8,000 wreaths, and the work's not easy. The employees have been producing the garland and wreaths since October and sometimes work more than 12 hours a day. The larger wreaths can take up to 20 minutes a piece to make.
Although it's tough work, family employees say that's just business.
"It's in our blood, you know, we've been doing it for so many years," said employee, Lisa Farley. "It would not be the same if we didn't do it. We've just been doing it for so long."
The owners expect to have all the trees, wreaths, and garland shipped out by Thanksgiving.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forWLUC