CHARLESTON (KFSM) -- Although the weather this year has been drier and warmer than normal, it has not affected the growth of Christmas trees this season.
Greg Eckart, who owns Pine Grove Christmas Tree Farm in Charleston, said they have to battle with Mother Nature every year.
Eckart and his wife Betty have been growing Christmas trees in their backyard since 1978. Now they have more than 5,000 trees on about ten acres of land. According to Eckart, it takes about five years to grow a seven- to eight-foot tree.
Because of the drier weather, the Eckarts recommend putting their Christmas trees in water immediately when it makes it home.
"It's definitely our favorite time of the year because we are working all year long on these trees, then we get to sell them," Greg Eckart said.
Pine Grove Christmas Tree Farm will open Saturday (Nov. 19) and will be selling Christmas trees until Dec. 22.
A few other Christmas tree farms in our area include Christmas Tree Lane in Ozark, Hilltop Christmas Tree Farm in Dardanelle, and Wonderland Tree Farm in Pea Ridge.