CHENANGO FORKS (WBNG) — Thanksgiving is less than a week away, but that hasn’t stopped people from getting an early start on their holiday decorating.

Many local families are thinking about buying their Christmas trees.

Chalker Creek Farms LLC owner Joe Licata told 12 News if you wait too long, you may find yourself frantically looking for a tree.

“It depends on their tradition, but a lot of people come the day after Thanksgiving because that’s their tradition,” Licata said. “But I’ll tell you, even though we have a lot of trees, a lot of farms sell out early. So if you wait until the end, you’re most likely going to be looking for a tree.”

Although gardens see the vast majority of their business in the four to six weeks before Christmas, the work is year-round.

It takes nearly a decade for the trees to fully grow, meaning Licata must plant between 1,500 and 2,000 trees each year to keep up with demand. However, it takes seven to nine years for the trees to be ready for harvest, according to Licata.

That work doesn’t include the months gardeners must spend weeding, mowing and trimming the trees to make sure they come out in perfect shape for the holiday season.

“So to get ready for these four to six weeks, we plant the trees. We have to fight weeds, we have to mow, we have to protect them from insects, from deer,” Licata said. He added, “Then mid to late summer mowing we them. Trees don’t just grow like that. They are cut to give them that nice Christmas tree shape and that’s all work.”

One concern with having a live tree is that it can be a fire hazard. Licata said there is no increased risk with having the trees, without taking any extra measures to ensure everyone’s safety.

“The lights they have now, they’re very low voltage, they’re cool lights that aren’t a problem anymore,” he said.

Lighting may not be a problem, but other common household appliances can also cause problems

“Keep them away from any open heat source like a wood stove. But these trees are very safe. Keep them hydrated, and it wouldn’t be like any other flammable, combustible thing in your house,” he said.

Licata said the gardening business comes with ups and downs, sometimes with financial problems. But Licata said his main motivation is seeing the families come back every year.

“The families come back. Their kids grow up and then they have kids of their own and they come back. So, if you love the business, you love agriculture love providing that service for people. it can be pretty fun,” Licata said.

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