Christmas tree growers hope for a green holiday season

by Jessica Mador, Minnesota Public Radio

St. Paul, Minn. — With the official Christmas shopping season underway, Minnesota Christmas tree growers say they hope this year will be a good one, despite the bad economy.

Jan Donelson, executive director of the Minnesota Christmas Tree Association, said next weekend will likely be one of the biggest for Christmas tree shopping. She said many people who have lost jobs in the recession will splurge on a Christmas tree.

"I think when people are cutting back and finding out they are able to make adjustments, they'll hang on to it...and have time for their family, she said. "Because they are recognizing that is one of the most important things we have."

The state's growers produce more than 500,000 trees to sell in Minnesota each year.