LEHIGHTON, Pa. — For many, it sounds like the start of a Halloween movie.
But for employees here at Crystal Spring Tree Farm in Mahoning Township, near Lehighton, it's a sound that signals the start of the holiday season.
"Everything looks great. We're just getting started now, but it's going to really ramp up soon," said Chris Botek the owner of the tree farm.
He says while it may be too soon for the average person to put up their Christmas tree, that doesn't mean he and his team are not hard at work
They started cutting trees last week, all of them for special orders.
"We already shipped into Longwood Gardens. They got a truckload of trees from us to decorate around their facility,"said Botek. "We have all the trees going in the Capital again this year. the Rotunda, out on the front steps and solider row and throughout the capital building, and this year I got a call from the White House. They have about 45 trees going down to the White House to decorate all inside."
Botek expects to cut and sell 15,000 Christmas trees this season. Now if you plan to buy a real tree, what can you expect to pay this year? He says not much of an increase from last year.
"The past several years I know things have gone up just because of supply, But I think everybody is kind of back on track now," said Botek. "I would see things leveling out. You know my trucking costs a lot less this year than they were in the past years."
Botek says despite dry weather in the early spring and summer, he will have plenty of trees this year and for years to come.
"We saved a lot, tens of thousands of plants this year, by irrigating. you have to be proactive with it. You have to get out before you think you need it. Once you see trees suffer or die in the field it's too late," said Botek.
So, for today, he and his crew are done, that is until tomorrow.
Crystal Spring Tree Farm opens for the season on Black Friday.