The purity of organic trees

By MANDY SPIKES | Central Texas Edition

A natural tradition Dwayne Somerville is the proud owner of the Texas Organic Nursery and Christmas Tree Farm, located in Mexia. A tree can be cut down, either by the Somerville himself, or by the family purchasing the tree. Somerville says that he will even package the tree for the customer free of charge. -Staff photo by Spikes

December 4, 2003 -- With the holiday season approaching, now is the time that many families venture out in their vehicles searching for the perfect Christmas tree. It's part of the holiday tradition, but most people are unfortunate to have certain allergies which prevents them from purchasing a real Christmas tree. Whether it's the pine smell or the chemicals used on the tree, this prohibits the person from enjoying a tree that nature provided.

Dwayne Somerville has a solution to this problem - purchasing an organic tree. Somerville is the owner of the Texas Organic Nursery and Christmas Tree Farm, which is located in Mexia. The only certified organic Christmas tree farm in the U.S., Somerville caters to those people who want a Christmas tree, but can't get one due to allergies.

"In order to be certified as an organic Christmas tree farm, you have to keep from using any prohibited materials for three years," he explained. "This means you can't use any type of synthetic product such as chemical fertilizers, fungicides, insecticides, or any other kind of pesticide." He added that for every one of the synthetic products used, there is always a natural alternative.

He stated that many people want to have real trees in their homes during Christmas, but can't because they think they are allergic to the trees. "This might not be the case, though. It might be that they are allergic to the chemicals used on the tree."

There is even a tree for those who can't take the 'piney' smell that most Christmas trees give off. "Allergies specialists recommend purchasing a Leyland CypressLeyland Cypress tree since those trees don't give off any fragrance. In general, the Leyland Cypress is a good tree to get because the look of the tree reminds people of the trees that they cut down when they were little, but doesn't give off the pine scent."

In addition to the Leyland Cypress, Somerville also grows Virginia pines and Carolina sapphires. "The Virginia pine is the most popular organic tree that we sell. This is because of the fragrance that comes from it."

The reason Somerville wants to keep his Christmas tree farm an organic farm hits closer to home. "I live on a farm with my three sons and I don't want to subject them to anything that might be harmful."

Besides growing the trees organically, he is also trying to develop a colorant to color the trees. "Right now we don't color our trees because there is no organically made colorant. But we are trying to make an organic safe color."

This colorant is being developed to make the trees even darker than they already are. "It's natural for trees to turn off-green a little depending on the weather. During this time of year, there are less daylight hours so they are not as dark green as other plants."

Somerville is proud of his tree farm, adding that it's a great family experience. "Our farm caters to the whole family. You can come out with your family and cut down your own tree, which is a great family bonding experience."

For more information on the Texas Organic Nursery and Christmas Tree Farm, contact 254-562-6306.