Looking for a live Christmas tree this year?

It was a simple proposition when I was growing up on my family’s farm.  We all piled in the back of the hay trailer, and Dad drove us into the meadow to find a little cedar tree.  He sawed it at the base, tossed it into the trailer with the rest of us, and we’d take it back home—singing carols all the way.  We do it a bit differently in the Rocket City.  Honestly, it’s a whole lot easier, and it can be just as fun if you visit a place like Valley Christmas Tree Plantation.

A Christmas Tree from the Farm

Valley Christmas Tree Plantation is owned by George and Trish Brown, who have around 114 acres east of Huntsville.  This sweet couple and their lovely dog, Honey, live on a beautiful farm (that they bought in 1994) that reminds me of home. The farm lies east of the Rocket City.  When you get there, you can walk around the Christmas tree meadow’s 50 acres and enjoy the view of distant mountains.  Your tree selection includes Leyland Cypress, Arizona Cypress, White Pine, Virginia Pine, and pre-cut Fraser Fir.

The Life of a Christmas Tree

George has been selling Christmas trees for 42 years, and he certainly knows his business.  “It’s a year-round operation,” he explains.  And it’s a lot of work.  George buys year-old seedlings, which take 4-10 years to reach Christmas tree maturity.  In January and February, they unearth each stump left after families sawed their own Christmas tree.

Depending on the weather conditions, the Browns start planting the newbies in February or March. Around April, they apply an herbicide for weed and pest control.  In May, they start shearing the trees to get that nice, conical shape.  Depending on the species, they give some trees a second shearing. They continue to mow and spray weed control throughout the summer.

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

After all that work, the trees are ready for you!  The Browns lend you a measuring stick and bow saw to cut down your tree. Valley Christmas Tree Plantation’s website says, “We provide a holiday experience for the entire family.” That includes the fun of hunting down your own tree, cutting it, and waiting for Valley Christmas Tree Plantation to “bail it” for you.  That is, they wrap the tree up for you to take it home, safely.  Meanwhile, you can enjoy a treat of apple cider or hot chocolate, courtesy of the farm! 

Christmas Trees, Wreaths, and School Tours

Valley Christmas Tree Plantation also sells “crafted fresh wreaths, mailbox covers, center pieces and crosses,” according to their website. Please visit Valley Christmas Tree Plantation for information on school tours and other information.

​Hours: Open 7 days a week from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. from Black Friday until Christmas “while tree supply lasts.”

By: Stephanie L. Robertson

Stephanie L. Robertson is a writer and editor who maintains a southern lifestyle blog at www.SweetgumLife.com. A busy Christian wife and mom, Stephanie and her husband of 19 years live in the Huntsville area with their teenage daughter. Stephanie has a self-published short suspense story on Amazon and is working on adding a novel.  When not immersed in mom/wife life, she enjoys photography, Pinterest projects, coffee with family and friends, and emersing herself in a good suspense novel.