With Thanksgiving over, people have begun preparing for the next big seasonal event — Christmas trees.

Local Christmas tree dealers think business got off to a good start this weekend.

&uot;People are cutting trees earlier this year,&uot; said Anne Gaude, co-owner of the Green Hills Christmas Tree Farm on U.S. 61 South.

And fewer people are tagging their trees to cut at a later date, she added

&uot;Everybody is coming out and having a good time,&uot; Gaude said.

Winston May, of Mr. Whisker’s Christmas Trees, also is pleased with the crowd.

&uot;(The) parking lot’s been full,&uot;&160;he said.

Green Hills on U.S. 61&160;South and Mr. Whiskers across from Natchez Mall are just two places around Natchez to buy Christmas trees this year.

&uot;A big plus for us is our trees are fresh,&uot; Gaude said.

The Leyland Cypress tree is a favorite of many of the Green Hills customers, Gaude said.

&uot;More people are going to it,&uot; Gaude said. &uot;It’s a real soft tree.&uot;

And it doesn’t shed its needles, she added.

Green Hills also has Virginia Pine, and Caroline Sapphire trees.

May’s site specializes in Frazier Furs, shipped in from North Carolina.

&uot;That’s the Cadillac of Christmas trees,&uot; May said. &uot;That is the very best you can buy. These trees were covered with snow two weeks ago.&uot;

Fraziers are also known for their needle retention and their fragrance, May said.

May’s site has a number of trees up to 14 feet tall with very thick branches.

&uot;This tree is too fat,&uot;&160;May said laughing &uot;(Like me) it needs to be on a diet.&uot;

Rick Junkin and his family picked out their Christmas tree Saturday at Green Hills.

&uot;We always come the weekend after Thanksgiving,&uot; Junkin said. &uot;It gives (the children) something to do.&uot;

Tim and Rebecca Harris were in town from New Orleans and bought two Christmas trees at Green Hills.

The family hunts in Wilkinson County but just happened to know the location of Green Hills. They plan to put one tree at their hunting camp and take the other home to New Orleans.

&uot;We’re decorating the one at the camp tonight,&uot; Rebecca Harris said.

Because of this year’s dry weather tree-buyers need to be extra sure to water their tree this season, Gaude said.