PLEASANT HILL, Ore. --- The holiday weekend was not only full of food and shopping but also a spike in Christmas tree sales at local farms.
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Hladky's Tree Farm saw a busy Black Friday, with people buying trees left and right.
Bob Hladky owns the farm and has been in the business for over five decades.
He said the pandemic is a big factor in the boost in sales. He said this weekend alone, he's sold hundreds of dollars worth of trees which is earlier than usual this time of year.
"We've had traffic jams Friday and even yesterday," Hladky said. ""We're fortunate we're having good sales."
The National Christmas Tree Association said more people are turning to real Christmas trees in 2020 because of the pandemic. Hladky said his farm and other farms provide a safe, outdoor place for people to get a break from being at home.
Clark Rasche and his family bought a tree Sunday from Hladky's farm. He said he tries to get a real tree every year.
"We've always had a real Christmas tree, we like the smell, we like the tradition," Rasche said.
Hladky said real Christmas trees are actually better for the environment than what is traditionally thought.
"It's a petroleum product and people that are trying to help the environment the artificial tree is not doing that," Hladky said.
At 94, Hladky said he is not slowing down anytime soon.
"Even though I'm a retired professor, I'm not one to sit around, I enjoy working outside," Hladky said.
