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At Tree Lots, It's Business As Usual

Tribune photo by CHRISTINE DeLESSIO

Joshua Santiago, 8, checks out the merchandise at the Trees R Us lot in Land O' Lakes.

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By GEOFF FOX

gfox@tampatrib.com

Published: December 6, 2008

LAND O' LAKES - Lisa Weiss pointed to a small, Charlie Brown-style Christmas tree and grinned.

About 3 1/2 feet tall, the $34.99 baby Fraser fir has been a hot item at the Trees R Us Christmas tree lot on State Road 54.

"These little table toppers are really popular," Weiss said. "They're really good for older people who don't want to do a whole lot for Christmas, and a lot of restaurants have been buying them."

Despite widespread economic worries, Weiss and other Christmas tree lot workers across Pasco County said tree prices and customer traffic has been about the same as last year.

The following is a look at just a couple of the county's Christmas tree dealers and their products:

PUBLIX

•Where: The Shoppes at New Tampa on Bruce B. Downs Boulevard at State Road 56

•Prices: $24.99 for 3- to 4-foot table-top to $99 for 10- to 11-foot North Carolina Fraser firs

TIP TOP TREES

The tent was closed on a recent weekday afternoon, but it was so full that branches of Christmas trees were poking out from under the canopy and through slits in the cover.

•Where: Wesley Chapel, at the southwest corner of Bruce B. Downs Boulevard and S.R. 54

•Prices: A sign hanging near the tent advertised trees for $23.50, but did not specify what type or how big a tree a customer could get for that price

•Trees: The banner said Fraser firs, Douglas firs, Scotch pines and spruce pines are sold there

TREES R US

•Where: Land O' Lakes, on S.R. 54, just west of Collier Parkway

•Prices: $34.99 to $99.99 and up

•Trees: Fraser firs, Douglas firs, Scotch pine, white pine and blue spruce from Michigan

"The most economical are the 6- to 7-foot Spruce pines for $49.95," said worker Lisa Weiss. "We've got trees in here that are 10 feet and taller, though."

UNNAMED STAND

•Where: Land O' Lakes, on S.R. 54, just north of State Road 56

•Prices: $29 to $79

•Trees: Fraser firs of various sizes from North Carolina

Acknowledging that he will probably need to name the stand when it converts to selling produce after Christmas, owner Bob Couch said business had been brisk since he opened Nov. 22.

"Weekdays are a little slow, that's normal," he said. "This weekend probably will be about the busiest. Hopefully, we'll sell 400."

Reporter Geoff Fox can be reached at (813) 779-4613.

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