Early Christmas tree sales up in NC

ASHEVILLE -- Christmas tree farms in western North Carolina are celebrating some early success despite a struggling economy. The Asheville Citizen-Times reports that Avery County farmer James Pitts said sales were slightly higher for the choose-and-cut operation. Pitts said he had a real good weekend, and that he's been seeing increased sales year after year. Linda Gragg, executive director of the N.C. Christmas Tree Association, said that while economic woes are a concern to anyone who sells any product, she said choose-and-cut sales continue to grow and wholesale looks steady. She said sales will be equal to 2007. Betsy Boyd, who operates a tree farm with her husband in Haywood County, says their choose-and-cut sales were higher compared to last year. She said people even stopped by in the rain to look for a tree. (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)