ABOVE: Grace Lutheran Church’s Mission Coordinators Paul Seibert and Mark Hinc stand with some of the remaining trees they have in stock, as they approach another sell-out year.

FAIRMONT – As Christmas approaches, a high demand for natural Christmas trees has already taken effect.

Grace Lutheran Church’s Missions group has sold trees as a fundraiser since the early 1990s. Missions Chair Louise Hendricks has been with Grace Lutheran Church since the beginning of the project when the trees were sold in front of the Wilkins Hotel. Now they set up near the Fleet and Farm parking lot.

The group sources their trees from a Christmas tree farm north of the Twin Cities.

“They bring all the trees down in either a flatbed or boxcar truck,” Hendricks said. “We try to get at least 10 or 12 people the day they unload. Then we unload them all by size and type, count to make sure we got what we’re supposed to get. Once that’s all done, we have people stage them by size on the racks. We’ll tag the prices and get that done on the weekend.”

Missions has a small warming house for those who man the tree area. In the past, they’ve had anywhere from 200 to 275 trees available in Balsam, Fraser Fir and Scotch Pine. Hendricks said last year they had 275 and had trouble selling them all, while three years ago they had 200 and sold out in three days.

This year they started with 220 on Nov. 27, and by Dec. 4 they had already sold 90 percent of their inventory.

“The first couple days we sold 63 trees both days,” Hendricks said. “Then we sold 40 and [so on].”

Having a high demand is very beneficial for the group, given this fundraiser is the biggest money-making project for the group.

“This probably generates 30 percent of our annual budget for the year,” Hendricks said. “Then our missions team donates to other organizations locally, regionally and internationally, that support different groups that help people in need.”

The Missions 2024 budget was $27,000, of which 30 percent is $8,100.

As for why the demand is so high for natural Christmas trees, Hendricks said she has heard a few reasons over the years.

“They smell good,” she said. “For a lot of people, it’s a family tradition [where] they will pick the tree, especially that week after Thanksgiving, and decorate their house and have that fresh smell.”

Hendricks said, as one of the few natural Christmas tree sellers left, she enjoys seeing the joy on people’s faces and tradition carrying on from one generation to the next.

“It’s fun to watch people go out and pick up their tree,” she said. “A lot of kids are having a good time trying to tell their parents which tree looks best and which ones they should pick up. Being that there’s not very many around, it’s nice that there’s still a local option for people to come and buy.”

Since Bomgaars opened in late 2019, they have sold natural Christmas trees every winter according to Manager Mike Dehrkoop. They offer Fraser Fur, Balsam, Scotch Pine and White Pine varieties. After receiving a shipment of 80 on Veterans Day, he said they are down to 15. Dehrkoop said he will look to order more for next year.

“Feedback has been positive, there’s a nice variety,” he said. “Corporate makes the decision, but I would shoot for 100 next year.”

A new item this year was Spruce Tips, which Dehrkoop said they got from a new vendor and have also gone over well.

Outside the Fairmont Area, Sherburn Nursery is down to 30 trees from the 85 they started with on Nov 22. Landscaper Jason Dorschner said demand has been average this year, and they’ll look to keep supply numbers this way next year. From speaking with customers, he said people prefer the smells of real trees over artificial ones.

“People are glad they’re here,” Dorschner said.

For more information or inquiries regarding the Grace Lutheran Church Missions Group, call Louise Hendricks at 507-235-3090 or the church office at 507-238-4418.