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11-10-05

CAPITOL MARKET THE PLACE FOR REAL CHRISTMAS TREES

Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass is reminding holiday shoppers that Christmas trees will soon be on sale at Capitol Farmers' Market in Charleston , and that those hoping to find the perfect tree should plan on shopping early.

"Capitol Market is a superb holiday shopping destination, not only for the Christmas trees, but also for all the great West Virginia products you can find there," said Commissioner Douglass. "The market also enjoys a convenient, central location, lots of parking and some great food and beverage vendors if shoppers need a break."

West Virginia Grown Christmas trees will begin arriving at the market November 18 and eight vendors should be selling full-time by November 25 - the official opening day of the Christmas tree season - according to Tony Richard, who manages the outdoor portion of the market for the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA).

"I expect we'll see quite a number of shoppers, as we have in the past," said Richard. "We pride ourselves on being a three-season market. Some people may think we're only a summer produce stand, but we have a large number of nursery vendors in the spring and a large number of tree vendors in the late fall and early winter."

WVDA Marketing and Horticulture Specialist Tom Clark said shoppers can expect a lot of Frazer Firs, Douglas Firs and Balsam Firs, with maybe a few other varieties mixed in as well.

"Other things shoppers can find are wreaths and swags that are great for holiday decorating, particularly if you live in an apartment or small house," Clark said. "They're really great value-added products for the industry, too, because they're made from the bottom limbs that have to be cut off the trees."  

Clark added that trees are available in a wide range of sizes and prices, from $20 to $200 for a 12-foot tree. "A 12-foot tree can take five or more years to grow," he noted.

Hours for the market are 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. Monday - Saturday and from noon-5 p.m. Sundays. Christmas tree vendors expected to sell at the market include Black Forest Plantation, Cornelius Christmas Tree Plantation, French Creek Farms, French Creek Farms Landscaping, Marvin Edwards, Parson's Trees, Santa's Forest and West Virginia Trees.

The West Virginia Department of Agriculture protects plant, animal and human health through a variety of scientific, regulatory and consumer protection programs, as mandated by state law. The Commissioner of Agriculture is one of six statewide elected officials in West Virginia. Currently, Commissioner Gus R. Douglass is the longest-serving agriculture commissioner in the nation. For more information, visit www.wvagriculture.org.

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