Fresh Christmas trees have been such a hot commodity this year, one Omaha metro farm has had to close for the season already.
Nordstrom's Christmas Tree Farm northwest of Omaha closed on Sunday and owner Debbie Nordstrom says that came a week earlier than expected. "It does grieve us to have to turn anyone away, but it's just part of the nature of a fresh cut business like ours, that you have to close when the demand is met."
Nordstrom says the crowds came early this year and they may have the internet to thank. "We've said, 'How did you hear about us?' They Googled it and they're new to Omaha. So, there's a huge influx of people moving from all over the country to Omaha and they're wanting fresh cut trees."
The early closure, Nordstrom says, is to ensure they have enough trees going forward. "We're playing it safe, so that we won't get sold out, so that in the future there won't be any lean years. There will be plenty of trees for our faithful customers year to year."
Nationwide, about 25 to 30 million fresh Christmas trees are sold every year.