For newlyweds Lee and Julie Edwards of Kinston, cutting down a fresh tree created the first of many Christmas memories.
The Edwards cut the tree at Nobles Tree Farm in Kinston, the only farm in the area to offer people the chance to cut down their own tree.
Lee Edwards said he decided to cut his own tree because of the experience.
“It’s local, fresh and a lot more fun,” he said.
He also said it’s a tradition he hopes to continue with his wife.
The experience was a family affair, with Julie’s parents, Wayne and Ann Bartholomew making the trip from Raleigh to help in the process.
“We wanted to be with them when they picked out their first tree. We had our own family traditions and it’s nice to see them starting traditions of their own,” Ann Bartholomew said.
For residents who have yet to buy a Christmas tree, there are several options in Lenoir, Greene and Jones counties.
Residents can purchase trees for as little as $20 at a tree lot in Trenton, or can pay up to $129.95 for a tree from Lowes Home Improvement in Kinston or ACE Hardware in Snow Hill.
In Lenoir County, trees can be bought at chain stores, such as Lowes or Food Lion.
Sandy Shimer, who operates Shimer’s Selects in Kinston, said the most popular size tree ranges between 6 and 8 feet tall. He said the most popular price is between $49 to 69.
In Jones County, the only place to buy a live tree is from Tim Greene. His stand is set up next to Jones County Tire Services in Trenton.
Greene said he sells Fraser Fir trees, because he believes them to have the highest quality.
“It’s the Cadillac of Christmas trees. The tree retains its needles and shape longer than other trees. Overall, they just last a long time,” he said.
In Greene County, residents may either purchase tress from Food Lion or ACE Hardware, both of which are located in Snow Hill.
Aside from Nobles Farm, which grows its own trees, other stands rely on importing trees from the North Carolina mountains.
Nicole Sanchez, an agricultural agent for the Jones County Cooperative Extension Service, said bringing trees from the mountains is becoming more common because there are fewer people growing tress in the area due to lower demand.
“A a lot of tree growers that used to be in this part of the state have cut back because people in general are not using live or fresh cut tress to the degree that they used to. People are buying more artificial trees,” she said.
Noah Clark can be reached at 252-559-1073 or Noah.Clark@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter @nclark763.
Where Christmas trees can be purchased
Jones County
Tree lot run by Tim Greene
101 West Jones Street, Trenton
Type of tree sold: Fraser Fir
Hours of operation: 9 a.m. until dark
Prices: $20-$70
Contact: 252-448-6001 (Jones County Tire Services)
Greene County
Food Lion
108 Greenewood Square, Snow Hill
Type of tree sold: Fraser Fir
Hours of operation: 7 am – 10pm
Prices: $29.95
Contact: 252-747-2490
ACE Hardware
321 U.S. 13 Snow Hill
Type of tree sold: Fraser Fir
Hours of operation: 7:30 am – 5 p.m.
Prices: $39.99-129.99
Contact: 252-747-9020
Lenoir County
Lowes Home Improvement
4489 U.S. 70, Kinston
Type of tree sold: Fraser Fir and Douglass Fir
Hours of operation: Monday-Saturday 7:a.m. – 9 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Prices: $39.99-129.99
Contact: 252-520-5100
Danny Smith Auto Sales
2447 U.S 258 North, Kinston
Type of tree sold: Fraser Fir
Hours of operation: Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday 1 p.m.-9 p.m.
Prices: $40-50
Contact: 252-521-3232 or 252-523-1300
Shimer Selects
2905 West Vernon Avenue, Kinston
Type of tree sold: Fraser Fir
Hours of operation: noon until 6 p.m.
Prices: $40-50
Contact: 252-560-6137
Nobles Tree Farm
1649 Neuse Road, Kinston
Type of tree sold: White Pine, Virginia Pine and Red Seder
Hours of operation: Monday-Thursday by appointment, Friday-Sunday 9 a.m-5:30 p.m.
Prices: $25-60
Contact: 252-569-5671
Food Lion
Same at locations in Pink Hill, La Grange and Kinston
Type of tree sold: Fraser Fir
Hours of operation: 7 am – 10 pm
Prices: $29.95