Greg’s Trees in Greenpoint, Brooklyn attracted New Yorkers ready for the holidays Sunday.

Anna Dougan said the holiday season in the city influenced her decision to move from Scotland 10 years ago.

“It’s so magical, so me even being here, getting an 8 foot tree, is part of the American dream today,” Dougan said. “The city is filled with joy at this time of year.”

What You Need To Know

  • Greg Walsh, the owner of Greg's Trees, said people are inquiring about trees earlier this year
  • Since the financial crisis of 2008, Walsh said it is harder to get trees 10 feet and up
  • Many New Yorkers said they are excited for the holiday season

The Millers live in Williamsburg and picked up a few wreaths. They said they are looking forward to creating new traditions.

“Just trying to get in the holiday spirit as early as possible,” Colin Miller said. “We would always decorate as soon as possible, usually right after Thanksgiving. Now we’re trying to move up the traditions a few days early,” Colin Miller said.

Greg Walsh, the owner of Greg’s Trees, has operated stands throughout the city for 42 years. He says, though the season just started, this year is special.

“I feel as a person who has done this for so long, the vibe has been amazing. We were getting calls, everyone has been excited. I don’t know what it is to be honest. I wasn’t sure how this year was going to go,” Walsh said.

Walsh says there has been a shortage of trees since the financial crisis of 2008, because it can take up to a decade to grow trees ten feet and taller.

But big or small, New Yorkers are grabbing trees while they can.