HORSEHEADS, N.Y. (WENY) -- Christmas is just 22 days away, as of December 3. Local Roots Greenhouse, a family-owned business in Horseheads is counting down the days to Christmas, one tree at a time. 

For many, the heart of the holiday season is the centerpiece in the room, the Christmas tree where unforgettable memories are made. When it comes to choosing a tree, people have their preferences from artificial to the real deal. 

"Most of the people really just want to get that Christmas spirit and Christmas trees; live Christmas trees is really what it is and your trees come from across the Twin Tiers," says Local Roots Greenhouse Owner Paul Seymour. "They're locally grown, They have a place here in the Twin Tiers."

It might surprise you to learn that it takes one Christmas tree, seven to ten years to grow,  according to the National Christmas Tree Association. 

The Seymour family is relatively new to selling Christmas trees, but they shared with WENY News their sales have already doubled in their second year, and the season isn't over just yet. Seymour said he thinks real Christmas trees are making a comeback.

"I think mostly it's longevity, whether it's health, whether it's height, give me that whole low down I think mostly it's just the looks. A lot I have customers that really want, you know, short and scrawny looking trees, and then I have people that want where I don't even know how they get them in their house kind of size tree," says Seymour.

One of the greenhouse's more popular trees is the Balsam Fir, simply because of its tangy and citrus scent.

"I think one the smell because it does give you that Christmas pine smell in the house. I think they like that and I think they really want to get back with the nature part and know where everything is coming from. And I think, the recycling part of it, you know, with the, the plastic tree and all that stuff, part of it with the plastic tree and all that stuff," shared Seymour. 

The National Christmas Tree Association has offered holiday safety tips, available below. 

  • The National Fire Protection Association (NFPS) says approximately 1/10 of one percent (0.12%) of residential fires involve a Christmas Tree -- both real and artificial.
  • At no time can a real Christmas tree start or cause a fire. They cannot spontaneously combust.
  • Don't overload electric outlets - faulty wires are the most common cause of holiday fires in residences.

Safety Tips about Fake Trees:

  • Most fake trees are made of metals and plastic.
  • Most fake trees (85%) in the U.S. are imported from China, according to the U.S. Commerce Department.

Seymour wants to make sure every child and family has a Christmas tree, so he doesn't focus on turning a profit every season but focuses on making every tree affordable. The trees on his lot range from $40-$85. 

As the Seymours put it, real trees aren't just a simple decoration, they're a way to bring a little extra magic into the holiday season. Local Roots Greenhouse is located at 170 Lennox Avenue in Horseheads. They are open through Christmas Eve.