OVERVIEW:
We grow about 15 species and hybrids of conifer Christmas trees on our farm. However, we typically only sell Balsam Fir, Fraser Fir and Balsam-Fraser Hybrid Fir trees and greens at wholesale prices. You can ask about small quantities of other species or hybrids listed on our Choose & Cut page. If we have a few more than we need for retail sales, we will sell them to you at wholesale prices. Our minimum order is 50 trees or 20 bundles for greens.
CHRISTMAS GREENS:
We are restricted by the weather as to when we can start cutting trees and greens. We have found that needle retention is significantly improved if we wait for at least one hard frost (mid to upper 20s Fahrenheit) before starting to cut. The timing of that frost can vary from late October to early November. Once that hard frost has occurred, we start cutting the greens. You may refer to them as brush, boughs or greens. They are all terms for the same product. We cut greens first because they need to be made into decorations before Thanksgiving. Retail customers buy wreaths, garlands and other decorations early in the season so decoration makers need to start as early as they can.. We package our greens in 50 pound bundles that we weigh in the field. The limbs or portions of a limb vary in length and width but are tied with twine by hand to enable handling from the field to our protected storage area, onto your truck or trailer and then to your wreath, garland, etc. making facility. We recommend that you protect the bundles at your facility from the sun and wind. We try to have the greens ready for pickup by early to mid November. Often customers come for an initial part of their order so that they can get started early making the decorations and come for the rest later.
CHRISTMAS TREES:
Once the greens are harvested, we start to cut the wholesale trees. We categorize sizes as follows: 5 to 7 foot, 8 to 9 foot, 10 to 12 foot. Sometimes we have a limited number of 10 to 12 foot trees. The trees are packaged by the use of our Howey twine baler after being cut. Trees tightly tied with twine resist damage during handling. We have a large storage area for both greens and trees amongst some really tall conifer trees which provides protection from the sun and the wind. Most retailers want their trees to arrive at their lot just before Thanksgiving. Too early and potential customers may think they will be dried out and shed needles. Too late and potential customers may buy elsewhere. We recommend that you protect your trees from the sun and wind and only display an appropriate number to provide adequate variety for your customers. This will prevent damage from excessive handling and from the sun and wind.
SHIPPING:
We do not provide shipping. We are often asked if a certain order will fit on an unseen truck with or without trailer. How much truck or trailer should I bring? Christmas trees are not homogeneous. They vary in width, length, shape and weight. Bundles of greens vary in size but are uniform in weight. If you pick up your trees or greens on a weekend, we will assist you in loading your vehicle but you are responsible for placing the trees and/ or the greens and getting all of them on safely. If you have a large truck, we have a powered conveyor that can get the trees or greens up onto the truck easily. Sometimes we find customers coming with almost enough room on their vehicles for their order. Occasionally they have to drive their vehicle(s) around a bit to let the load settle so that the remainder of the load will fit.