Local Christmas tree lot works to protect trees from Valley heat

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Coachella Valley residents continue to prepare for Christmas by buying real trees this holiday season. For local Christmas tree farmers they're working to make sure the trees are prepared to last until the holiday.

Aerni Christmas Tree Farm with locations off Washington Street in Palm Desert and Ramon Road in Cathedral City has been working to keep it's trees alive and well in the Valley for residents. Many of their trees are under tarps with water consistently flowing over them.

"It's kind of like produce or bananas or, you know, what have you," Verlyn Aerni, co-owner of the family farm said. "We're putting up our inventory, until the sun goes down, and then it gets nice and cool, and they stay super fresh."

They say moisture is essential to extending the longevity of the trees, forcing them to lay many down under shade tarps for misting. While it's an essential process, Aerni worries it is deterring customers.

"My concern with that is people driving by thinking we're done selling trees," Aerni said. "We definitely have trees, and, we will [have them] at least through this next weekend and the week after that.”

Aerni also ensures the trees on the lot will last residents through Christmas. He said many trees like the Douglas Fir or Grand Fir grow quickly, but it means they do not last long as long as slow growing trees. Aerni said those trees come in a separate shipment and are held till nearly two weeks before Christmas, something he said big box stores don't always do.

"Home Depot and Lowe's, they sell theirs from the get go," Aerni said. "We tend to just keep ours kind of preserved...we're already bringing them out and they'll last just fine from here on out."

Aerni said the key to keeping your tree alive and well through Christmas is consistent water in the tree stand and light misting.

News Channel 3 also checked in with Aerni Family Christmas Trees on their sales for this season. Aerni said he believes they are on track with last year, but it is too soon for official sale numbers.

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear more about the process for preparing trees for residents and how sales have been going this season.