Americans go to family-run Christmas tree farms to pick the perfect pine: 'People love it'
There are 15,000 Christmas tree farms across the US, where 30 million trees are purchased every Christmas, according to the National Christmas Tree Association – with many families of all sizes participating in the annual holiday event that has special meaning to it.
The most popular Christmas trees are in the pine, spruce and fir families, the same source noted. It takes about seven years for the tree to reach its normal height of 6 to 7 meters.
The first Christmas tree farm was planted by farmer and businessman WV McGalliard in White Horse, New Jersey, in 1901.
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Many Christmas tree farms are family-run, and generations of visitors return to relive the memories of their children and families, in addition to attracting first-time visitors.
The Christmas Tree Forest in Eustis, Florida, is proof that Christmas celebrations can be celebrated even in southern climates with the help of an event snow machine, Jodi Utsman, co-owner, told Fox News Digital.
Many Christmas tree farms across the country are family owned and operated – and generations of visitors return and make new memories with their family traditions in mind. (Robert Melville)
Sustainable farms care about the environment. Krueger's Christmas Tree Farm in Lake Elmo, Minnesota, for example, is pesticide-free and uses minimal pesticides, according to John Krueger, a third-generation owner.
Several owners and families shared their seasonal stories and memories.
'He used to come here as a child'
Santa's Tree Farm and Village in Half Moon Bay, California, a family business, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
Natalie Sare told Fox News Digital that she met her husband, Dan, who owns and operates the 487-acre farm, in 1987, when she started working there in college.
Santa's Tree Farm and Village in Half Moon Bay, California, stays open until 5:00 on Christmas Eve. (Natalie Sare)
Since then, it has seen generations of tourists. “People came and said to me, I have been coming here since I was a child and now I have my own child,” he said.
The Santa Express, a trackless train built by Sare's husband and father, takes visitors on a tour of the farm while music plays.
“We are absolutely exhausted at this time of year, but we love you so much.”
“People love it. It's something they love,” said Sare.
Sare said that the cartoons at the Elves Work Shoppe are very important to him. His son, Michael, writes the story lines and does the captions for some of the hand puppets.
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Santa Claus, described as “relaxed and relaxed,” has been coming to the farm for 16 years to pose with families for photos.
There is also a story time event with Mrs. Claus, and Christmas cookies from a San Francisco bakery can be purchased at Mrs. Claus' Kitchen, said Sare.
Sare said people lined up to buy mistletoe from the farm.
Natalie Sare said she expects 20,000 visitors to Santa's Tree Farm and Village this season to buy trees. (Natalie Sare)
“It's really nice, because you can see them kissing each other with the mistletoe on their heads.”
Tree buying season started on Nov. 23, and Sare expected up to 20,000 visitors, mostly from the San Francisco Bay Area and nearby cities.
The landscape is open, and cutting down a tree is “a personal act … Alone or with your family,” Sare said.
Sare said she likes the animation shows at the Elves Work Shoppe because her son writes stories and speaks the voices of other hand puppets. (Natalie Sare)
Reservations are not required (although they are often required at some tree farms) and there is no entrance fee, according to Sare.
Pre-cut trees are $39.95 – $299.00, depending on size, and custom-cut trees are $96.
Santa's Tree Farm and Village stays open until 5pm on Christmas Eve.
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“There are many reasons why people want to get a Christmas tree on a certain day and there is often a really special story,” said Sare. “I won't say no.”
“The trees are planted in straight lines, and all the children are running up and down.”
“We are absolutely exhausted at this time of year, but we love you so much.”
Complete with a natural trail, too
Julie Izzo Niedzwick, manager of customer and employee experience at Stokoe Farms in Scottsville, New York, told Fox News Digital that the farm, which is 212 years old, began planting Christmas trees there 40 years ago. Located about 20 minutes from Rochester.
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Stokoe Farms usually opens for Christmas tree purchases the weekend before Thanksgiving, which Niedzwick said is their busiest time.
He said about 8,000 visitors come to buy trees that weekend, especially in western and southern New York.
Scott and Megan Melville's family lives across from Stokoe Farms and has made it a family tradition to pick out their Christmas tree every year the day after Thanksgiving. (Megan Melville)
Animal lovers can hold kangaroos, pet a rabbit-like Patagonian mara, and see other animals at Roo Ranch, Niedzwick said.
There is also a petting zoo with goats, small cows and sheep.
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Niedzwick said there is a nature trail with a treehouse, ropes course, slides and the “Hillbilly Hen Chicken Show,” where chickens “sing” about farm life.
Megan Melville's husband used to work on the farm, and her father-in-law, who still works there, and three of her five children help with the trees. (Robert Melville)
He said guests can dine at the Old Barn Grill and enjoy dessert at The Cocoa & Cookie Corner, which offers Stokoe Farms' famous hot chocolate and cider donuts.
A reservation to buy a Christmas tree is not necessary and entry is free.
Cut trees start at $40 and go up in price, depending on size, variety, and grade, Niedzwick said.
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Guest cut trees are $67 for any size or variety of Fraser Fir, Douglas Fir and Concolor Fir trees up to 8 feet tall, according to the website.
Megan Melville, an art teacher, told Fox News Digital that she and her husband, Scott, and their extended family of five children between the ages of 17 and 10 live across the street from Stokoe Farms.
Take your family on a real Christmas tree adventure by checking out a family Christmas tree farm in your area this year. (Megan Melville; Stock)
“I have two girls, and you have three boys, so it's always been joked that we were like the 'Brady Bunch,' but not really,” he said.
Her husband worked on the farm when she was young, and her father still works there, along with their three children during the tree season, Melville said.
“They send Christmas trees to active duty members at home and abroad.”
He said it is a special tradition that they choose a Christmas tree every year, the day after Thanksgiving.
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“The trees were planted in straight lines, and all the children ran up and down … Each one chose one tree that they liked, and then they voted for the one that everyone else liked.”
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Melville said she and her middle school art club decorated about 1,000 tree tags as part of the Trees for Troops program in which Stokoe Farms participates.
Melville described the experience of buying a Christmas tree at Stokoe Farms as “coming home.”
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