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Tree farms provide fun with tradition at Christmas
  
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By Sharon Spoonemore
Purchasing a Christmas tree usually signals the beginning of holiday festivities. The fun starts for many Houston families when they head for a tree farm to choose the “perfect” tree. It’s not a trip to cut short.
You’ll want to savor the fragrance of thousands of trees, take the hayride around tens of acres looking with eagle eyes for “the one.” Use your own saw or have a driver cut it for you. They’ll take it, shake it, net it and make it travel ready for its final destination. And a tradition is born.
Shoppers aren’t the only ones who enjoy the tradition. Some farms have been growing Christmas trees long enough to see the next generation of shoppers. After a year of replanting and nurturing trees, growers are often joined by family members for the holiday “push.”
“Our children have grown up with the farm. Even though some have been off to college, they’ll be here to help. It’s just tradition,” said Carla Jones who has operated the farm with her husband Bob Jones since 1992. Spring Creek Growers is home to the 2008 Grand Champion Christmas Tree of Texas.
Originally a southwest Montgomery County vegetable farm that Carla’s grandparents purchased in 1921, the Choose and Cut tree farm has a year round nursery operation. The farm harvests Texas-grown Virginia Pine and Leyland Cypress trees in the winter. Each tree is carefully sheared or shaped by hand and cared for all year long to provide the finest trees possible. Living Christmas Trees, transplantable after Christmas, are also offered as well as pre-cut Fraser and Noble Firs
“We think our grandparents would really enjoy the Christmas Tree Farm,” Carla said. “On a busy day we see over a hundred families at the farm. We’ve had some great experiences so we love what we do. Last year, a soldier, who was returning from basic training, surprised his fiancée while she and her family were here to get their tree. The entire hayride erupted with cheers and applause for them. That was a good memory for a lot of folks!”
When the holidays are over, any trees purchased at Spring Creek may be returned to be recycled into mulch or given to local fishermen. “A lot of our used trees go to fishermen who love to drop them in a favorite spot at the lake where smaller fish will nest and draw in larger ones for fishing,” said Bob Jones. “Used trees can also be left at drop points in Houston to help with Galveston erosion prevention.”
Peach Creek Christmas Tree Farm invites shoppers to tour their 40 acres with mostly Virginia Pine trees with a smattering of Carolina Sapphire and Leyland Cypress. Peach Creek will supply an 18 foot tree for this year’s traditional Victorian Christmas celebration in Jefferson, Texas.
“The freshness of a newly cut pine scented tree should last through the New Year holiday,” said Lee VanDamm, co-owner of Peach Creek. “The scent just doesn’t compare with trees that are cut a month or more before shipment. The fragrance of fresh cut trees makes the hayride and farm tour very enjoyable. We also have special treats for the kids and plenty of places to explore.”
With trees starting at $25 at many farms, the “hunt” for your perfect tree just may be one of the best bargains this Christmas — one that the entire family can enjoy.
Area Christmas Tree Farms
SPRING CREEK GROWERS CHOOSE & CUT CHRISTMAS TREE FARM
Home of 2008 Grand Champion Christmas Tree of Texas
Bob and Carla Jones
23803 Decker Prairie-Rosehill Rd.
Magnolia, TX
Farm phone: (281) 259-8114
www.springcreekgrowers.com
PEACH CREEK CHRISTMAS TREE FARM
18 footers – off Old Texas 105 between I-45 & 59 North
Marilyn Baker & Lee Van Damm
Faulkner Road
Cleveland, TX 77327
www.peachcreektreefarm.com
TINSEL TIME TREE FARM
Sleigh rides, snacks and refreshment stand, picnic area, tractor-pulled hay rides
David Barfield
18477 FM1485
New Caney, TX 77357
Phone: (281) 689-7575
HIGH STAR CHRISTMAS TREES, INC.
Visit High Star Farm's Wreath Barn too
Scotty and Cheryl Scott
19020 Becker Road
Hockley, TX 77447
(281) 255-9888
www.highstarfarm.com
HOLIDAY ACRES
About 20 miles south of Houston, one block off Hwy. 6
Rocky and Leigh Ann Smith
9029 County Road 95
Manvel, TEXAS 77578
www.theholidayacres.com
KELUMAC CHRISTMAS TREE FARM
A 23 acre Choose and Cut Farm with Bed & Breakfast accommodations
HFD Holiday Safety Information
The Houston Fire Department encourages citizens to safely dispose of the tree when it begins dropping needles. The dried-out trees should not be left in the house, garage or against the house.
Buy them as fresh as possible, not brown, no needles falling, etc.
Put a fresh diagonal cut, about an inch off the bottom, so water will flow through. Place in a secure base and keep water or wet sand in the base, or use products designed to keep trees fresh.
Make sure the tree is far enough away (at least 3 feet) from any sort of heat (i.e., fireplace, candles, etc.).
Contact your regular disposal places, don't try to burn the tree yourself.
Dispose of tree as soon as season is over.
You’ll want to savor the fragrance of thousands of trees, take the hayride around tens of acres looking with eagle eyes for “the one.” Use your own saw or have a driver cut it for you. They’ll take it, shake it, net it and make it travel ready for its final destination. And a tradition is born.
Shoppers aren’t the only ones who enjoy the tradition. Some farms have been growing Christmas trees long enough to see the next generation of shoppers. After a year of replanting and nurturing trees, growers are often joined by family members for the holiday “push.”
“Our children have grown up with the farm. Even though some have been off to college, they’ll be here to help. It’s just tradition,” said Carla Jones who has operated the farm with her husband Bob Jones since 1992. Spring Creek Growers is home to the 2008 Grand Champion Christmas Tree of Texas.
Originally a southwest Montgomery County vegetable farm that Carla’s grandparents purchased in 1921, the Choose and Cut tree farm has a year round nursery operation. The farm harvests Texas-grown Virginia Pine and Leyland Cypress trees in the winter. Each tree is carefully sheared or shaped by hand and cared for all year long to provide the finest trees possible. Living Christmas Trees, transplantable after Christmas, are also offered as well as pre-cut Fraser and Noble Firs
“We think our grandparents would really enjoy the Christmas Tree Farm,” Carla said. “On a busy day we see over a hundred families at the farm. We’ve had some great experiences so we love what we do. Last year, a soldier, who was returning from basic training, surprised his fiancée while she and her family were here to get their tree. The entire hayride erupted with cheers and applause for them. That was a good memory for a lot of folks!”
When the holidays are over, any trees purchased at Spring Creek may be returned to be recycled into mulch or given to local fishermen. “A lot of our used trees go to fishermen who love to drop them in a favorite spot at the lake where smaller fish will nest and draw in larger ones for fishing,” said Bob Jones. “Used trees can also be left at drop points in Houston to help with Galveston erosion prevention.”
Peach Creek Christmas Tree Farm invites shoppers to tour their 40 acres with mostly Virginia Pine trees with a smattering of Carolina Sapphire and Leyland Cypress. Peach Creek will supply an 18 foot tree for this year’s traditional Victorian Christmas celebration in Jefferson, Texas.
“The freshness of a newly cut pine scented tree should last through the New Year holiday,” said Lee VanDamm, co-owner of Peach Creek. “The scent just doesn’t compare with trees that are cut a month or more before shipment. The fragrance of fresh cut trees makes the hayride and farm tour very enjoyable. We also have special treats for the kids and plenty of places to explore.”
With trees starting at $25 at many farms, the “hunt” for your perfect tree just may be one of the best bargains this Christmas — one that the entire family can enjoy.
Area Christmas Tree Farms
SPRING CREEK GROWERS CHOOSE & CUT CHRISTMAS TREE FARM
Home of 2008 Grand Champion Christmas Tree of Texas
Bob and Carla Jones
23803 Decker Prairie-Rosehill Rd.
Magnolia, TX
Farm phone: (281) 259-8114
www.springcreekgrowers.com
PEACH CREEK CHRISTMAS TREE FARM
18 footers – off Old Texas 105 between I-45 & 59 North
Marilyn Baker & Lee Van Damm
Faulkner Road
Cleveland, TX 77327
www.peachcreektreefarm.com
TINSEL TIME TREE FARM
Sleigh rides, snacks and refreshment stand, picnic area, tractor-pulled hay rides
David Barfield
18477 FM1485
New Caney, TX 77357
Phone: (281) 689-7575
HIGH STAR CHRISTMAS TREES, INC.
Visit High Star Farm's Wreath Barn too
Scotty and Cheryl Scott
19020 Becker Road
Hockley, TX 77447
(281) 255-9888
www.highstarfarm.com
HOLIDAY ACRES
About 20 miles south of Houston, one block off Hwy. 6
Rocky and Leigh Ann Smith
9029 County Road 95
Manvel, TEXAS 77578
www.theholidayacres.com
KELUMAC CHRISTMAS TREE FARM
A 23 acre Choose and Cut Farm with Bed & Breakfast accommodations
HFD Holiday Safety Information
The Houston Fire Department encourages citizens to safely dispose of the tree when it begins dropping needles. The dried-out trees should not be left in the house, garage or against the house.
Buy them as fresh as possible, not brown, no needles falling, etc.
Put a fresh diagonal cut, about an inch off the bottom, so water will flow through. Place in a secure base and keep water or wet sand in the base, or use products designed to keep trees fresh.
Make sure the tree is far enough away (at least 3 feet) from any sort of heat (i.e., fireplace, candles, etc.).
Contact your regular disposal places, don't try to burn the tree yourself.
Dispose of tree as soon as season is over.
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