Despite initial setbacks, Hunt County farm is ready to sell Christmas trees

By KARI KRAMER | East Texas Edition

Making a practice run earlier this fall, "Elf" Marsha Nelson gives friends and family a ride around the JNC Christmas Tree Farm near Caddo Mills. After a couple of mis-starts, and years of growing, the trees at the farm are being sold for the first time this year. -- Courtesy photo

Dec. 9, 2004 - The Nelson-Maxwell family never imagined they would be Christmas tree growers, even after the idea first struck them.

Jim Nelson, 51, and his sister Carolyn Maxwell, 57, each inherited 12 acres from their father, JC Nelson. The land had been purchased by their grandfather in 1938 and was passed down to their father. Once a cotton farm, the cleared land in Hunt County's Caddo Mills seemed to have little use to the brother and sister.

In 1997, Jim, wife Marsha, and her cousin, Yvette, were at the Texas State Fair, where Yvette pointed out a Texas Christmas Tree Growers Association booth.

"She said, 'that's what you need to do,' and we came home and talked about it," said Marsha. "I'm not sure we were too serious about it at the time."

Regardless, two months later, in January 1998, Jim, Marsha, their son Jeff, and Carolyn were planting Virginia Pines seedlings on the property. Seedlings can be purchased from the TCTGA for approximately $45 per 500 seedlings.

"We planted 1,500 trees that first year," said Jim.

"And we lost 1,500 trees," added Marsha.

The first tree crop was lost because drought struck the area. The trees planted the following year were also lost. After two years of cultivation, the Christmas tree farm ceased to prove productive.

"For the next several years we planted (annually) 1,000 trees," said Carolyn. "Last year we planted 1,500."

Six years after first attempting to produce Christmas trees, the family has opened the doors of the JNC Christmas Tree Farm. With 4,500 trees growing, and 200 high quality saleable trees, the family feels hopeful.

"I would think we would be real lucky to get 50 (tree sales) and right now we are on a good pace," said Jim on Nov. 30. He hopes next year will be better.

"It takes a while for people to know where you are," said Jim. The farm, located near Highway 30, east of Dallas, has already served people not only from Dallas, but as far away as Denton.

Trees are sold based on quality and height. Prices range from an average $25 to $60 for a tree of about eight to nine feet. Trees are tagged with the height and price. Visitors to the farm pick their tree and cut their own. If they prefer, Jeff will cut the tree and then shake it free of loose needles.

Besides mowing lawns, working the family Christmas tree farm is Jeff's first job.

"It's wonderful, working with the kids," said Jeff, 16.

The family said the farm's purpose is not just to serve customers, but to entertain them. Family members dress up as elves, and Santa Claus even takes time to make appearances. In addition, guests are treated to free apple cider. Those who want can take a ride on the Deere Express, a Christmas train pulled by an elf on a John Deere lawn tractor.

"I think kids expect to see that," said Marsha who believes that it isn't enough just to sell trees. "You're marketing fun, not just your trees."

Also on the property is the JNC Mercantile, a Christmas shop that sells homemade pine wreaths, bows, sauces, and other Christmas additions.

The land that seemed useless six years ago is now coming to life.

According to the Texas Christmas Tree Growers Association (TCTGA, www.texaschristmastrees.com), it can take three to six years for a Texas Christmas Tree to mature. That means growers, like JNC, have to wait on their returns.

"You get that feeling of apprehension when you open any business," said Jim. "I'm not going to be concerned with that. If you look at a lot of farmers, the whole intent is to stay alive for the next year. We're not going to run it at a loss, but if we break even every year, we'll be doing good."

"We belong to the Texas Christmas Tree Growers Association. We go to the meetings and seminars and talk to people. They tell use what they experienced, so we knew going into this that it would take years of work," said Carolyn. The hardest period, she added, has been this first year of sales operation. "The pressure of getting things right has been the hardest."

"And dealing with things we didn't know were going to happen," added Jim, who mentioned the establishment had been robbed in late November by a young man who was later arrested on other charges. He was traced to the burglary of their property by several containers of sauce he had taken.

Despite the lost crops, high inputs, and misfortunes, the future could be promising for the JNC farm. The family plans on planting an additional 2,000 trees next year and the following year.

"We want to get to about 10,000 trees," said Jim, who added that the farm would also advertise more to sell a larger volume of trees next year.

"My hopes is for this to be a place to retire with, something to do when you are older to keep you going," said Carolyn.

"I never intend on this to be my livelihood," added Jim.

Jeff, however, said he was willing to take the job over if the project produced secure financial results.

The Texas Christmas Tree industry contributes $12 million to the Texas economy, according to the TCTGA. JNC Farms is one of the 150 Christmas tree farms in the state. TCTGA statistics show these farms produce 200,000 trees annually on 2,500 acres.

For more information on Texas Christmas trees or to find a grower in your area, visit the TCTGA website, www.texaschristmastrees.com. For directions to JNC Farms, visit www.angelfire.com/nc3/jncfarm.