It's tree time

Mason Allred of Roseville knows what makes for the perfect Christmas tree."It has to have lots of lights on it," the 3-year-old emphatically stated. "And it needs whole round balls on it, and lots and lots of ornaments and that's all of it."Mason and his family - mom Heidi, dad Doug and 1-year-old brother Ethan - were among the crowds are local Christmas tree lots Friday, looking to get a jump on the holiday decorating season.Friday marked the official opening for many local lots, including Bambi's Christmas Tree Land on South Harding Boulevard and Bushnell Gardens Nursery on Douglas Boulevard in Granite Bay.This year, however, those looking for the perfect fir to adorn their living room braved some cooler temperatures to get the perfect green. But for most people, it was worth it."We want a 12-foot tree this year," explained Heidi Allred. "We decided to go for it."The Allreds weren't the only ones looking for a real tree."It has to be a real tree," Roseville resident Kathleen Barlupe said as she made a face at the thought of a pre-lit artificial tree. "It's just not the same otherwise."Barlupe was out Friday with her husband Andy, as well as daughter Natalie and son Nick and son Paul Barron.Stephanie Krieman - an Oregon resident who transfers to Roseville every holiday season for her job as general manager of Bambi's Christmas Tree Land - said most people still seem to prefer real trees, though their lot has taken on the task of selling some pre-lit artificials to accommodate all shoppers. Bambi's also added a store area this year, featuring various ornaments and other holiday decorations. But the main focus is still live, pre-cut trees.And business is expected to remain steady between now and Christmas Eve."It used to be people would wait until about the middle of December to get their trees," Krieman said. "But every year it seems like more and more people are buying earlier and earlier. Maybe it's because the stores all start advertising Christmas in July." It's why families like the Allreds and Barlupes were out early Friday looking for the perfect tree. Everyone in both families wanted to find the tree, get it home, get it set up and start decorating."It's our tradition to come right after Thanksgiving," Heidi Allred said. "We have the long weekend, and it's nice to have all that time to decorate and not have to feel rushed."And Friday's shoppers are sure to be the first wave in a growing trend of people wanting real trees.According to the National Christmas Tree Association, in 2002, sales of real trees amounted to 22.2 million. After industry officials formed a task force and began an extensive marketing campaign touting the real thing, shoppers responded by purchasing more than 32.8 million real trees vs. 9.3 million fakes ones in 2005.- Sherri L. Shaulis can be reached at sherris@goldcountymedia.com.