FERRIDAY — Now that Thanksgiving has come and gone, Christmas time is in full swing, and along with Christmas comes decorations.

Christmas trees are on sale at various locations throughout the Miss-Lou, but for Marie Potts of Ferriday, you can’t beat growing your own.

A quick drive down Kentucky Avenue in Ferriday and you arrive at Marie’s Trees located at 1010 Doty Road.

Potts has been growing and selling Christmas trees since 1995, and said she gets buyers from all over the area.

“People come from Vicksburg, Roxie, Sicily Island, pretty much anywhere within a 50-mile radius,” she said. “On average I sell between 150-180 trees a year.”

Potts said customers are allowed to cut down their own tree starting the day after Thanksgiving, Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

When shopping for a tree at Marie’s Trees, Potts said there are many different kinds from which to choose.

“We have types such as Frasier firs, Leylands, Virginia pines and Blue Ice,” she said. “Blue Ice is my favorite. It leaves little to no mess and has a long life in the house. The color ranges from gray blue to teal blue.”

Potts said when searching for the right tree, always be sure to check it before you cut it down.

“Always check the tree trunk for straightness, and bad areas in the tree, such as holes not filled in completely,” she said. “Walk around the tree to make sure it is as symmetrical as possible.”

Potts also suggested customers know the size of the area in which they plan on putting the tree.

“Always remember that the tree looks much smaller in the field,” she said. “Many times I have heard customers comment when the tree was cut and brought to the barn for processing that they did not know the their tree was that big. Then we have had to cut some of it off at the trunk.”

Make sure you also know the size of your tree stand, Potts said.

“Make sure the trunk of your tree will fit in the stand,” she said. “Also check the bottom limbs of the tree to make sure that they are not going to hinder putting your stand on the tree.”

Potts said people with allergies need to stay away from pine and cedar trees and look at getting a Leyland or Ovensii tree.

When checking for needle retention, Potts said looking for shedding needles in the field is not a good model follow.

“(Needle retention) is not an issue if the tree is still alive,” she said. “Real trees will shed all year long.”

Potts said live trees take approximately three to five gallons of water the first two to three days it is in the house.

“If you have a dog or cat, you probably think they are drinking the water,” she said. “This is probably not the case.”

When filling your water bowl for your live tree, Potts said warm water is the only substance that should be used.

“Do not add sugar or Sprite,” she said. “That has a tendency to sour in our warm climate.”