The scramble for a fresh Christmas tree is underway as the St. Davids and District Lions Club opens its lots in St. Davids and Virgil with 475 Fraser firs, giving residents a shot at the season’s most sought-after centrepiece.
All trees come from Sheers Farm near Simcoe and the sale runs daily until every tree is gone, with all proceeds supporting the Lions Clubs’ local causes across Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Fraser firs stand at both sites for $80, the same price as last year. Volunteers say most trees fall in the six to eight-foot range, with a smaller number of four-foot options in St. Davids. Decorative boughs and small tabletop trees are also available for $10 and $15, respectively.
Doug Snider, chair of the St. Davids Christmas tree sale, said a drought this year forced Fraser fir farmer Wayne Sheers to truck in water for the first time in more than 50 years.
“They’ve never had to truck in water before, and if it continues… they’ll go broke,” said Snider.
The long dry stretch reduced Sheers’ supply, which dropped the Lions’ order from 500 trees last year to 475 this season. Snider said he visited the farm a week before shipment and saw heat stress and browning on parts of the crop. The farmer has 4,000 new plantings, but they will not be ready for harvest for years.
“It takes seven years before a tree can be cut, so for the farmer it’s a long-term investment,” said Snider.
Snider mentioned that many Canadian Christmas tree farmers are facing significant financial pressure after American buyers pulled back due to the ongoing U.S.–Canada trade war.
“A guy had a contract for $300,000, and because of the tariff on softwood, it went to $450,000. These American Christmas tree sellers are going out of business because of the guy they elected,” said Snider.
Despite those challenges, business has been booming for the Lions Club. Traffic diverted by the Four Mile Creek Road closure is steering drivers past the St. Davids lot and introducing passersby to the sale.
“People said our tree sales would suffer because of the construction, but it funnels everybody this way. It’s a bonus.”
The Lions Club’s sales are already up 20 per cent over last year, said Snider.
He also pointed to steep price differences between Niagara-on-the-Lake and larger cities. One recent visitor made the drive from Toronto to buy two trees after comparing costs.
“A lady came last week from Toronto and bought two. The same Fraser firs are selling there for $250.”
Snider said the Fraser firs will last well past Christmas if cared for and watered daily.
Community support drives the sale as much as selection. All labour is volunteer and all revenue stays local through Lions Club donations to groups across Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Residents can shop at St. Davids seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. or at Cornerstone Community Church in Virgil. Both lots will stay open until the final tree is sold.
