Story Featured in The Times

Story by Carrie Steinweg

Real tree sales increased last year by more than 9 million from the 2012 season, according to the National Christmas Tree Association. With more than 33 million real trees sold in 2013, the amount spent decreased by $6 per tree from 2012.

For the Zumm family, of Highland, an outing to cut down the family Christmas tree has become an annual tradition.

“We have been going to Hensler Nursery in Hamlet, Ind., for five or six seasons,” Christie Zumm said. “They have a large parade for opening weekend with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. They take you out by horse-drawn carriage.”

Zumm said that she has watched the Starke County tree farm grow over the years.

“They are getting bigger, and we see more and more families cutting down trees,” she said.

Read the full story at The Times.