The pandemic may leave many things uncertain this year, but at Morris Farm and Yard Works, one thing remains the same: the high demand for Christmas trees and holiday spirit.

John Morris has been selling Christmas trees for years, and this is the first time they’re “flying off the shelves,” he said in an interview. “We got the same number of trees that we always get, but they’re going out quicker. Just this past weekend we were really busy.”

Morris Farm had 300 trees shipped in from New Hampshire for the holiday season, and as of last Thursday, they had already sold over half. Morris expects to sell out, and he tries to clear most of the lot by December 15 or 16. Morris considers these promising numbers, considering the drought in early fall and the COVID-19 pandemic. Contrary to what one might think, the pandemic has brought Christmas tree shoppers out earlier, said Morris. “I think a tree brings a more Christmassy feeling, because of the COVID situation, people want some holiday joy. And more people are switching from artificial to real trees this year.”

Morris only sells the “Cadillac of Christmas trees”: Fraser firs. “Because they hold the needles better,” he says. He advises people to make a new cut in the trunk of the tree before putting it in hot water. “Not boiling water, just hot water from the tap,” says Morris. “And it seems to open the pores of the tree. And then it should regularly drink water for about three weeks.”

Bridget Fox from Yard Works also only sells Fraser firs. “We committed to them early in the season. Back in April we thought COVID would be over by now, so hopefully we can get rid of them.”

Yard Works has a stock of about 300 trees, sourcing theirs from a farm in Maine. While her trees are selling more slowly right now, Fox says she expects it to pick up the closer it gets to Christmas. “The next two weekends are usually our busiest.” In an interview, she explained that Yard Works placed their order for holiday foliage back in the spring and is committed to the quantities of trees and floral arrangements that they received. Fox gestured to the greenhouse full of bright red and pale yellow poinsettias. In more conventional years the flowers would adorn churches all over the city.

“We’ve been really quiet,” she said, explaining that due to the recent statewide pause and COVID concerns, the holiday orders from places of worship didn’t come in with the numbers they expected.

Fox has also noticed a trend in buying trees earlier than usual. “I think people are bored in their homes. And that seemed to have been the trend with the gardens this year too.” She pointed out the uptick in gardening supplies and plants sold over the spring and summer. “You know, more time to spend at home. [People] were decorating more and spending more time in the garden. I think now they’re just spending more time decorating for the holidays.”

Morris echoed these sentiments, mentioning that he also noticed more and more people turning to gardening during the pandemic. “I think it’s comforting for them. It’s something new that the whole family can work on. I think it’s good for the soul.”

Both Morris and Fox are hopeful the gardening trend will continue.

Tree prices at the two Warwick establishments range from $44 to $69.95.