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Christmas tree growers put on the dog for down-home customers |
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By MINDY POEHL | Central Texas Edition |
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Dec. 9, 2004 - The scent of pinetrees fills the air as you pull through the entrance of Evergreen Acres Christmas Tree Farm. Since it is the holiday season and many homes are in need of a Christmas tree, Evergreen Acres has a multitude of Christmas trees ready to be sold. Evergreen Acres is a Christmas tree farm located down a winding farm road in Gholson. With 1,200 growing trees and pre-cut imported trees, there are many trees to choose to from and decorate for the holidays. "We have field trees that we grow that are chosen by people and cut for them," said David Barnett, owner of Evergreen Acres. "And we have pre-cut trees, which are imported from Oregon and North Carolina." The field trees average 6 -11 feet, with most of the trees ranging 7, 8 and 9 feet tall. The pre-cut trees are anywhere from 4 feet up to 8-9 feet tall, Miji Roberts, a worker at Evergreen Acres said. Evergreen Acres is open from Thanksgiving through Dec. 23 for tree sales and it was open two Saturdays before Thanksgiving for an early pre-selection where customers chose a specific tree they wanted, that will be cut down at a later date. The Christmas tree farm not only sells Christmas trees, but it also sells wreaths and garlands, living trees, ornaments, tree decorations and gifts. It also offers special activities. In October, Evergreen Acres had a pumpkin patch. It also offers hay rides, field trips, and a play area with horseshoes and a teatherball, Barnett said. "We are second-year owners and the business was limited when we first bought it," Barnett said. "We've added tree flocking and every year we try to make the operation bigger and better, especially for Christmas." Taking six to eight years to grow a 7-8 foot tall tree, the average field tree costs $35-$40. Pre-cut trees are more expensive because they are imported. The trees have one main pest, the Nantucket Pine Tip Moth, which causes branches to split out, Barnett said. "The moth attacks the growing tip and doesn't allow it to grow outward any further," Roberts said. And, some people are allergic to Christmas trees. "Different trees affect people differently," Barnett explained. "I'd suggest the Leyland to people who are allergic. Leylands are propagated, which means it doesn't pollinate, so they are allergy friendly." The Leyland Cypress is a soft, feathery tree that is grown at Evergreen Acres, along with the Virginia Pine. The imported trees are Noble, Douglas and Frazier firs. "The Leyland does well throughout the South," Barnett said. "The species we grow, we have specifically chosen because these trees do well in heat and the sandy soil. About 20 years ago Texas A&M did research on the Virginia Pine to find that it will grow well in this region. The Noble and Douglas firs are grown in Oregon and the Frazier firs are grown in North Carolina." The trees are planted in January and it takes four to five years to have a saleable tree. Once cut, if the tree is kept in water it will stay fresh through the New Year. "Give each tree a fresh cut. That's the secret. The cut will seal up in an hour," Barnett said. David Barnett's Christmas Tree Caring Tips: - Give the tree a fresh cut, about half an inch, and keep the tree in water. - Try to keep the tree away from heater vents or an open flame. - Keep the tree out of sunlight. - The number one tip: buy a fresh tree from the start. If it looks dry, feels dry or is dropping needles, it is too late for it to be a good tree. |
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