Grayson County grower contributes to memory-making experience for families

By DAVY MOSELEY | East Texas Edition

Marshall Cathey, owner of Elves Christmas Tree Farm in Denison, is ready for the annual customers that visit his cut-and-choose operation. -Staff photo by Moseley

December 6, 2001 -- America has seen many changes since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks - on many different levels. No tier of that sedimentary change is more ground-level than the changes seen in the American home.

For this holiday season, a recent Newsweek poll shows Americans spending more time at home and with their families since the attack, and re-evaluating their lives and priorities.

This holiday season, people are searching for a little more than beanie babies and high-tech gadgets. They're searching for that "good old-fashioned family Christmas" that Chevy Chase quested for as Clarke Grizwold. Many are finding their way to Christmas tree farms, like the Elves Christmas Tree Farm in Denison, for the holiday experience.

Tree farm owner Marshall Cathey, said his farm has been very busy this year.

"There have been some people get a (natural) tree this year that haven't in years. Some had natural trees when they were young, or when they first got married, but may have gotten to busy the last few years (in favor of artificial trees). For others, this is their first time."

On Nov. 29, despite some icy conditions, Rita Holcomb visited Cathey's farm to select a tree for use in her interior landscaping business "Plants on the Move." -Staff photo by Moseley

Cathey, with wife Sharlote and 2 1/2-year-old son Hunter, have operated Elves Christmas Tree Farm since 1999. The farm was established in 1989 by Curtis and Claudia Elliff - then known as the Elliff's Christmas Tree Farm.

"Curt and Claudia were ready to retire, so my wife and I took up where the Elliff's left off. I hope we can do as good of a job as the Elliff's making the farm a family tradition for so many families," Cathey said.

"We will be as hands-on, or as hands-off as you want," Cathey said. "We try to add as many activities as we can, but some people just want to be left alone to select their tree."

The Catheys try to take care of everything for their customers:

Hayrides will take tree hunters into the fields and bring them and their tree back. The farm furnishes bow saws, no need to bring a chainsaw, axe, or other saws. Complimentary apple cider or coffee is offered in the barn next to a warm fire.

Plus, there are: clean restroom with baby changing table; picnic area and tables; mini-maze for the kids; craft booths; homemade wreaths, and professional wood carver Danny Reb is on hand on weekends.

Included in the price of the tree: Farm "elves" will cut your selection; shake and clean all trees; and wrap each tree and load it for you. For an extra fee, trees can be sprayed with a white powder, or flocked, for an added holiday touch.

"I think it is the quality of our trees that keeps people coming back. But, our visitors appreciate getting the full service when they come," said Cathey.

The Catheys are certainly ready to put on a show during the holiday season, but a Christmas tree farm has to practice good management to survive.

According to Cathey, the off-season work on a Christmas tree farm is challenging. Cathey and his wife both work off the farm during the off-season, but there is still work to be done.

Christmas trees are a specialized crop, but they have the same problems as traditional crops. Cathey said the two things he battles most are balancing rainfall and spraying for insects, particularly Nantucket Pine Tip Moths which attack Virginia Pines - 95 percent of the farm's sales.

Cathey said some tree hunters drive for two or three hours just to get their tree from the Elves Christmas Tree Farm.

"I remember one Tyler family returning home from a Florida vacation that bought their tree from us. Before moving to Tyler they lived nearby. The family's young daughter said she just wasn't satisfied with the trees they found in Tyler. So, after all their vacation driving, they had to drive to Denison just to buy their Christmas tree from us," Cathey relayed. "That makes you feel good when someone goes out of their way to do business with you."

The Catheys grow Virginia Pine, Leland Cypress, Afghan Pine, Loblolly Pine, and have North Carolina Fraser Fir and Oregon Noble Fir trees brought in fresh each year.

Cathey said the most popular tree size is seven to eight foot, but they do have customers that choose 10 to 15 foot trees.

The Catheys are members of the Texas Christmas Tree Growers Association.

"We visit a lot of tree farms to find out what other growers are doing. We try to not be so quick to just stay with what we've been doing when there may be a better way (to market their farm's product) that we never thought of," Cathey said.

Elves Christmas Tree Farm is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The farm usually closes by mid-December, so call if you are getting a late start decorating this year.

Trees are priced individually and tagged. There is no charge for hayrides, apple cider, coffee, tree netting, tree shaking and the memories which will last a lifetime.

The farm is one hour north of Dallas - Hwy 75 to Denison. Take exit 69, left (west) on FM 120, 1.6 miles and then turn left (south), there will be a sign on the south side of 120, 1/2 mile to farm.

For more information: (903)463-7260; www.elveschristmastreefarm.com/.