Sam Parker has been working in the Christmas tree business since he was 12 years old, so what many people see as just a holiday decoration has become a family business and a lifelong passion.
Parker owns multiple lots in Gainesville that he and his son operate, selling Fraser Firs from North Carolina. The lots are almost out of trees, Parker says.
"People bought earlier this year, especially the second week in December," he said. "The trees went well. They were good quality, which was one factor. People seem to want to start earlier."
It wasn’t just his trees that sold faster this year. Other Christmas tree lots around Gainesville also are running low on supply.
Paul Salvatore helps run the Westwood Hills Church Tree Sale and he said he wouldn’t be surprised if he ran out by the end of the week or possibly sooner.
The trees are getting very low in number, and Parker doesn’t see any more shipments making their way to Florida.