Cambridge Christmas tree farm says this is the snowiest selling season in more than 20 years

Wednesday’s snowfall might help get people into the Christmas spirit, but it also means more work for tree farms. CTV’s Heather Senoran explains.

A dose of snow may help people get into the Christmas spirit, but it is also creating more work for a Christmas tree farm in Cambridge.

Staff at Chickadee Christmas Trees spent most of Wednesday clearing snow off trees for what could be their final week before they sell out.

Owners Alison McCrindle and Joe Wareham started growing trees in 1997 and they were ready to be sold a few years later.

“This has been the snowiest selling season that we’ve ever had,” Wareham said. “We’ve been open since 2002.”

Wednesday’s snowstorm brought a little extra decoration to the farm, courtesy of Mother Nature.

“It’s definitely more Christmassy,” McCrindle said. “It adds to the spirit, the tradition of getting your Christmas tree.”

Staff were kept on their toes as they tried to keep up with the snow and ice accumulation. They are trying to keep the trees clear for when they open for business on Thursday.

“[The trees’] branches are all bent over and they’re covered in snow and ice. People really can’t see the tree very well with all the snow and ice on it, so we’ve got to get it off,” Wareham explained.

It can be heavy work.

“It’s quite wet because, I guess, the temperature’s hovering probably around one degree right now. So, it is very heavy and it has sort of been getting heavier as the day goes on,” McCrindle said.

Customer safety is also a top priority, meaning staff are busy shoveling and using the snowblower.

“We have to make sure all our paths are clear. We have to make sure our parking lot is in good shape, because we don’t want anybody to slip into each other,” McCrindle said.

Chickadee Christmas Trees will be open to the public Thursday to Sunday.

“Many mornings I’ve been getting up at 4 or 5 in the morning to get snow cleared off for the customers. Seems like I spend more time with my snowblower than I do with my wife, Alison,” Wareham said.

Chickadee’s cut-your-own trees are sold out, but there are still approximately 100 pre-cut trees ready to go.

“Lots of people have been coming from the Toronto area, and I guess there hasn’t been as much snow there. So there have been people with running shoes because they’re not expecting all of the snow,” McCrindle said.

Once customers pick their perfect tree, they are encouraged to keep it in a garage or mud room for about an hour to allow the ice and snow to melt without leaving a puddle inside the house.