If you want a local farm-grown Christmas tree this year, you better act fast.
Wynn Family Christmas Tree Farm in Seymour opened Nov. 27 and sold out of inventory two days later.
Roberts Tree Farm in Seymour opened the same day, had a successful weekend and has about 200 trees remaining.
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Jerry Roberts recommends people dash on out to his farm this weekend because he could sell out, too.
“If we have as big of a weekend as we did last weekend, we’ll sell out this weekend,” he said. “We did that a couple years ago, and then last year, we had trees into the third weekend. We were just really busy.”
The farm will be open from 10 a.m. to dark today and Sunday — that is, if inventory remains.
“We’ll just have to see where we’re at with our trees,” Roberts said. “We’ve got probably 140 trees left in the field, and then we’ve got about 75 or so of the Fraser firs and just a few white pines of our precut trees, so we’ve got over 200 trees yet. But if we sell those 200 trees this weekend, well then that’s it.”
Roberts and Bruce Wynn, who operates his farm with his family, both said they are thrilled with the opening weekend considering the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
On Sunday, a post on the Wynn Family Christmas Tree Farm Facebook page said, “This year has been one for the record books for us. We are officially sold out of available inventory for 2020.”
“We’re very fortunate,” Wynn said. “I didn’t really know what to expect with COVID, but it was interesting, to say the least. It far exceeded our expectations. We’re very appreciative and very fortunate. … It really was neat to meet a lot of new people, and it was a fun weekend.”
So why was the opening weekend so busy? Wynn said some customers told him they hadn’t had a real tree in 20 years or they hadn’t ever had a real tree.
Also, some Christmas tree farms in the region are shut down, either for good or due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That includes Jackson County’s only other Christmas tree farm, S and B in Crothersville, which recently posted on its Facebook page that after giving it much deliberation and thought, the business will not open this year.
“Just a lot of things all came together,” Wynn said. “Unfortunately, we can only grow them so fast. It’s a long process.”
This was Wynn’s 10th season of selling trees to the public. He grows Fraser fir, white pine, Norway spruce, Canaan fir and some Scots pine.
He said customers generally want trees between 6 and 8 feet tall, and the ones he has left on his property need another year to grow.
“We plant every year, and you just can’t grow them fast enough,” Wynn said. “You’re trying to predict demand six or eight years out, and I can’t predict two weeks out. It’s going to be disappointing that we’re not going to have trees available for some folks that may have traditionally came the second or third week, but hopefully, they’ll understand.”
A couple of years ago, Wynn said he sold out after the third weekend. This year was the fastest he has sold out of trees.
“It was more than what we have ever sold,” he said of last weekend.
With the ongoing pandemic, precautions were taken by Wynn and his crew, including mask wearing, putting the photo booth and cashier outside and having kids sit 6 feet away from Santa Claus.
“We tried to convey that we were going to do everything we could to make it safe, and I think we did,” Wynn said.
Whether people shared stories while buying their tree or sent photos of their decorated tree, it means a lot to Wynn.
“Some of those larger trees were some of the first ones I planted like 15, 17 years ago,” he said. “You just never knew when you planted them that 17 years later or whatever, it would be huge and going into somebody’s house as the centerpiece of their Christmas.”
Wynn isn’t used to having weekends off in December, but he’s going to enjoy it.
“We’ll just spend quality time with family, but even that, you have to be careful,” he said considering the pandemic. “It will be different. Rest, I guess. We’ll plant more this spring and hopefully have good weather again and work on growing.”
If people call or stop by the farm, Wynn said he will let them know about Roberts Tree Farm.
On opening weekend, Roberts said more than 1,000 people visited, including 400 kids seeing Santa Claus.
“It was way above average for the first weekend. It just worked out fantastic,” he said.
His farm also is following COVID-19 guidelines. That includes masks required, frequently sanitizing items and areas, no refreshments served, a limited number of customers inside buildings and on wagon rides, contactless tree pickup by appointment, extended hours and visits with Santa from a distance.
“It was really interesting because most people stood at the front door while somebody was paying (for their tree), and as soon as they came out, (the next customer) came in, so everybody was so good about everything. It just really worked out great for us,” Roberts said of the opening weekend.
Roberts was open from 4 p.m. to dark this past week to give people another time frame to shop that was less busy.
“We sold seven or eight trees every day this week,” he said.
If kids want to sit on Santa’s lap, a parent must sign a waiver. Roberts said many people have come out for Santa visits because there aren’t many opportunities for their kids to see him this year.
“They want to have Christmas. They want to have something with their kids,” he said. “We’re providing a Christmas tradition. We’re almost providing something that nobody else has available.”
Besides trees, Roberts Tree Farm sells handmade wreaths, grave blankets, garland and bows and homemade crafts.
Roberts said he is “tickled to death” about the opening weekend and looks forward to another good one this weekend.
“We’re not selling a tree. We’re selling a tradition, we’re selling a concept, where the kids come out, they take a wagon ride, they see Santa Claus,” Roberts said. “That makes it a family experience. That’s what’s really important about it. When it comes to Christmas, people are going to celebrate Christmas. That’s just all there is to it. If they can’t do it one way, they are going to do it another.”
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How to care for a farm-grown living Christmas tree
If you get a tree with the roots attached, either in a pot or burlap, follow these suggested tree care tips:
- Keep in mind that living trees are very heavy and bulky. A 6-foot-tall balled and burlapped tree will weigh as much as 250 pounds.
- The tree should be stored in an unheated, sheltered area, such as a garage or porch, out of the wind and sun. Do not expose the tree to freezing temperatures at any time.
- The tree will need adequate water. The root ball or soil should be kept slightly damp but not flooded. Wrap the root ball of a balled tree in plastic or place in a tub while it is in the house.
- Live trees may be decorated but with care. If lights are used, they must not give off any heat.
- Do not remove the tree directly from a warm house out into freezing temperatures. Instead, move to a sheltered area first for several days.
- If the ground is unfrozen, the tree may be replanted. The spot to be dug should be mulched to prevent freezing. Plant as soon as possible.
- Do not remove the burlap and strapping (unless it is plastic). This keeps the root ball solid and secure. In the instance of a plastic cover, cut the cord and roll down the plastic at least halfway prior to planting. Tap the tree container of a potted tree and remove prior to planting. Do not attempt to remove soil from the root system. Earth removed from the original hole should be back-filled around the root ball. Mulch heavily over the top of the planted root ball to prevent it from freezing. Water only as needed. A flooded tree may not survive.
- Stake the trees to prevent wind tipping or damage during the first growing season.
Source: robertstreefarm.com
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What: Roberts Tree Farm
Where: 9977 N. County Road 25E, Seymour
Hours: 10 a.m. to dark Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 20 and from 4 p.m. to dark Mondays through Thursdays through Dec. 17 (as long as inventory is available); Santa Claus will be there from 10 a.m. to dark today and Sunday
Information: 812-521-1902 (you can call to set up a custom appointment time) or visit robertstreefarm.com
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