11/18/2011
Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass is reminding holiday shoppers that Christmas trees will soon be on sale at Capitol Farmers’ Market in Charleston, and those hoping to find the perfect tree should plan on shopping early.
“Capitol Market is a superb holiday shopping destination, not only for the Christmas trees, but also for all the great West Virginia products you can find there,” said Commissioner Douglass. “The market also enjoys a convenient, central location, plenty of free parking and great food and beverage options from indoor vendors if shoppers need a break.”
Fresh West Virginia Grown Christmas trees will begin arriving at the market by November 18 and vendors should be selling full-time by the first of December, according to Tony Richard, who manages the outdoor portion of the market for the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA).
“I expect we'll see quite a number of shoppers, as we have in the past,” said Richard. “We pride ourselves on being a four-season market. Some people may think we’re only a summer produce stand, but we have a large number of nursery vendors in the spring and a large number of tree vendors in the late fall and early winter.”
Richard said shoppers can expect a lot of Frazer Firs, Douglas Firs, Balsam Firs, White Pines and Blue Spruces with several other varieties also available.
“The vendors will also have fresh wreaths, swags and roping that are great for holiday decorating, particularly if you live in an apartment or small house,” Richard said. “They’re really great value-added products for the industry, too, because they’re made from the bottom limbs that have to be cut off the trees.”
Trees are available in a wide range of sizes and prices, from $20 to $200. Hours for the market are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday and from noon-5 p.m. Sundays. Beginning December 1, special holiday hours are 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sundays.
For more information on Capitol Market, visit
www.capitolmarket.net or for a list of West Virginia tree growers selling at the Market, visit
www.capitolmarket.net/treeseason.html.
Contact Information
Buddy Davidson, Communications Officer
304-558-3708; 304-541-5932 (cell)
bdavidson@ag.state.wv.us