As the light of the late Sunday afternoon began to fade, business on the farm perked up.
Families traipsed over the hillside, eyeballs scanning the greenery for just the right Christmas tree.
One man carefully strapped a freshly-cut Douglas Fir to the top of his van. An excited boy stumbled as he raced through a maze of Noble Firs. A couple paused to take a snapshot of their children standing stiffly in front of their selection, a tall spruce. Customers checked out the gift and craft shop as attendants stood by, ready to help.
From his perch, Erik Pfaff glanced at the activity, an encouraged look in his eyes. He said he hopes his family-owned and operated tree farm will have a profitable season.
“Year after year, many folks return here for their tree,” said Pfaff, who co-manages the tree farm with his sister, Britt Dunton. “It’s become a family tradition for them. Now their kids are coming here for trees for their own young families.”
Pfaff’s Christmas Tree Farm on Auburn’s Lea Hill has served generations of families for 30 years, persevering through the many ups and downs of a dwindling but stubborn industry. The Pfaff operation – which boasts an estimated 30,000 trees spread over approximately 30 acres – is one of a few long-standing, private Auburn farms committed to this holiday tradition and its loyal customers.
The Pfaffs are optimistic about delivering a strong season even though nationally, live Christmas tree sales have been in something of a slump the past couple of years.
In 2009, 28.2 million Christmas trees were sold in the US, generating $1.15 billion in sales, according to National Christmas Tree Association figures. That represented no increase from 2008, and a 10-percent decline from 2007, when 31.3 million trees were sold, the NCTA reported.
In addition, there has been a decline in the number of trees harvested in the state, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. As of 2007, Washington ranked sixth in the country in total trees harvested with 785,304, compared to 1,164,139 produced in 2002, a 33-percent decline.
Many factors can influence total trees produced and purchased, including harvest and weather conditions, the number of consumers traveling for the holidays, even the number of days between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Despite a sluggish market and a sour but stabilizing economy, more people are making the trek to tree farms to choose their trees, the NCTA indicated. About one-third of Christmas trees in 2009 were sold at farms, compared to just 21 percent in 2007.
That’s the sort of trend local farmers are happy to see.
“Artificial trees have taken a bite out of it,” Pfaff said. “But there are people, a lot of families, who are coming back to (farms).”
To entice customers, the Pfaffs and other family operated tree farms have been open to marketing changes. Many now offer gift and craft shops, other decorations, creative discounts, fundraising options, refreshments, entertainment and, like the Pfaffs, a Santa House.
Auburn Mountainview High School drama and choir students will perform on Saturdays this month, caroling, doing skits and reading Christmas stories. The Pfaffs will donate 10-percent of tree sale proceeds to their school programs.
Maintaining a large tree farm is hard work, but such a challenge remains a rewarding practice for a family that moved to Auburn more than 50 years ago.
“Never did we know how much work was involved in growing trees,” said Grete Pfaff, the family matriarch.
Originally, the Pfaffs raised sheep on the property, then cattle before they decided to plant their first seedlings in 1979.
A neighbor, Walt Jacobsen, found success harvesting trees, and the Pfaffs soon followed suit. The tree farm eventually became another source of income for the family and its patriarch, S. Robert Pfaff, who today as an 87-year-old retired schoolteacher remains in the background of the family operation.
The family plans to continue the work – and the tradition.
“It will be a better year,” Dunton insisted. “We love doing this. It’s fun to see the generations of families come back here. It’s fun to hear their stories.”
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Auburn-area Christmas tree cutting location
For more listings in your area, please visit the Puget Sound Christmas Tree Association website at www.pscta.org.
• Pfaff’s Christmas Tree Farm, 29204 124th Ave. SE, Auburn
Dates, hours: Nov. 26-Dec. 24, 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m. weekdays; 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m. weekends.
Info, directions: www.pfaffschristmastrees.com, 253-852-8244
• Trees ‘n Bees, Inc., 34747 162nd Ave SE, Auburn
Dates, hours: Nov. 26-Dec. 21, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. daily.
Info, directions: www.treesnbees.com, 253-939-1149 or 866-627-2857
• Coates Christmas Trees, 17225 SE Green Valley Road, Auburn
Dates, hours: Nov. 26-Dec. 23, noon-dark, weekdays; 9 a.m. dark, weekends
Info, directions: www.coateschristmastrees.com, 253-709-6293
• Green Valley’s Honeytree Farm, 21606 SE Green Valley Road, Auburn
Dates, hours: Nov. 26-Dec. 23, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Thursday-Sunday; closed Monday-Wednesday
Info, directions: www.honeytreefarm.com, 253-333-8934
• A&B’s Flowers & Trees, 28641 132nd Ave SE, Auburn
Dates, hours: Nov. 26-Dec. 20, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Thursday-Sunday, or by appointment. Info: 206-390-5292
• Tinsletown Tree Farm, 100 Milwaukee Blvd. S, Pacific
Dates, hours: Nov. 26-Dec. 19, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday, Saturday, Sunday only
Info, directions: www.tinseltowntreefarm.com, 253-848-4657
• Donna’s Trees, 4421 S 348th Place, Auburn
Dates, hours: Dec. 3-Dec. 24. 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Info, directions: 253-927-1911
• Holiday Mountain Trees, Highway 18 at SE 104, quarter-mile off I-90, south of Snoqualmie Ridge area.
Dates, hours: Nov. 26-Dec. 19. 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Info, directions: www.pscta.org, 253-927-1911
• Holiday Mountain Trees 2, 56th Avenue South and 304th Street, Auburn.
Dates, hours: Nov. 26-Dec. 19. 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday, Sunday
Info, directions: 253-737-5838 or 253-927-1911
• Uncle Eek’s Trees, 12202 SE Kent Kangley Road (Highway 516), Kent
Dates, hours: Nov. 2-Dec. 20. 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Tuesday-Friday; 9 a.m.-6 p.m,. Saturday, Sunday; (closed Monday)
Info, directions: www.uncleeekstrees.com, 253-887-8406
