Oxford has Christmas tree options
Published 6:00 am Sunday, November 29, 2015
While Oxford lacks the full-fledged Christmas tree farm where families choose a tree and cut it down, there are still plenty of options around town to find a fresh-cut, real Christmas tree.
Todd Collin has owned Oxford in Bloom off South Lamar Boulevard for four years, however the nursery has been there for well over a decade under different owners.
“We have people who have been coming here a long time to get their tree,” Collin said.
His fresh-cut trees range in heights from 6-foot to 12-foot trees. The most popular height is 6-8 feet high, he said.
The prices range from about $70 to $275 for the largest trees.
The trees are cut in North Carolina and like most of the places selling trees, sell only the Frazier fur tree.
“It has sturdier branches than many of the other kinds,” Collin said.
Across town on North Lamar Boulevard in the Mid-Town Shopping Center, “O Christmas Trees,” has returned to Oxford again for its 10th season of selling trees in the parking lot of the shopping center. Before setting up his tent and Christmas tree businesses in Oxford more than 18 years ago, Jeffrey Hollis became a Realtor.
“The market was pretty slow this time of the year,” Hollis said. “So I just started selling trees in Oxford during Christmastime.”
Before landing the Mid-Town area, Hollis sold his trees in various locations around Oxford. This year he has a second Oxford location.
“We’re set up by the new gas station and convenience store in Oxford Commons,” he said.
Hollis also sells only Frazier furs, from 4-feet to 16-feet tall. Prices range from $40 on up to $500 for the 16-foot tree. A 7-8-foot tree is $75.
“O Christmas Trees” also offers home delivery for an extra fee with several packages that include everything from just dropping the tree off to bringing it inside and wrapping it with lights.
“We also make wreathes and garland on site,” Hollis said.
Larger stores like Home Depot offer Christmas trees that range in price from $26 for a 5-foot tree to $100 for a 10-foot tree. If you order online, they will be delivered for an extra charge. Wal-Mart’s trees sell for $32 for a 6-foot tree.
Oxford’s tree
The city of Oxford’s Christmas tree was officially lit Friday during the annual Christmas Tree Lighting. The 20-foot tall tree was so big, it had to be buried farther into the ground than normal to make sure it was safely secured.
The city’s building and grounds manager, Billy Lamb, ordered the tree in July from Dee’s Trees in Memphis.
“I always scout one out early each year,” he said. “That thing is really pretty.”
While the city of Oxford does maintain a tree and flower nursery, Christmas trees require much more care, Lamb said.
“We’ve bought our trees from Dee’s for years and they always look real nice.”