KEY POINTS:
Two-year-old Sophie Ford spent a good half an hour trudging through Mount Gabriel Christmas Trees in Tamahere to find the perfect tree to take home.
Owner Jack Commerer said the young tree-shopper was a "little sweetie" who cried when she had to leave his Hamilton plantation.
Mr Commerer has been growing pine trees for 11 years, and this year had about 11,000 trees on his 10ha property.
"We've sold around 2000 and we're still very busy," he said.
Prices range from $10 to $70 for bigger sizes. The Cupressus Macrocarpa - a cylindrical tree native to America - is increasingly popular among customers.
Mr Commerer said many people still favoured live Christmas trees rather than artificial ones. For many families, it had been a tradition to go together and find the perfect live tree for Christmas.
"This year has been better for us - it seems to be the best so far. People love Christmas time."
- NZ HERALD STAFF
