East Texas Christmas tree farm opens this week
It’s been a hot, dry summer in East Texas, but this year’s Christmas trees at Plantation Pines, between Lindale and Tyler, are still “amazing.”
Owners Heather and Valen Reed took over the farm from their parents seven seasons ago. Heather Ballen said the farm plants trees every January and hasn’t rotated trees in the past four years.
“The young trees were the hardest hit,” Heather Reed said. “The trees we planted, the trees that are ready this year, are growing very well.»
She said her farm suffered the most damage from the bad weather this year. “We have to replant the trees we lost this year.»
There are several Christmas tree farms in the Longview and Tyler areas of East Texas.
Danville Farms near Kilgore opened in his 1982. James Robinson, who owns the farm with his wife Mary, drove a tractor on Wednesday’s opening day, leading people in search of the perfect tree.
Local Christmas tree farms, including Danville Farms, offer more than just selected and cut Christmas trees. Each farm offers family-friendly activities such as hay rides, gift shops selling wreaths and local produce, and areas to interact with other farm animals.
Trees tend to grow quickly, so tree buyers should check the farm’s Facebook page, website, or call ahead to make sure the tree is still available.
The National Christmas Tree Association reports that in 2022, nearly 31% of people who buy farm-grown trees buy directly from the farm of their choice, rather than from a chain store, nursery or outlet. It is shown that
Heather Reed said Plantation Pines knew people might cut down trees from fields this weekend. This is usually not possible during the second weekend.
Plantation Pines will be selling pre-cut trees from 5:30 to 8 p.m. weekdays until all trees are sold.
This farm, like the Danville farm, grows Virginia pines. Plantation Pines, like other farms, also sells Fraser fir from other regions.
Heather said people have asked her if her family has ever grown her tree. The answer is no, but there are other Christmas decorations.
She says they don’t take the best wood from the field, they save the best wood for their customers. “We choose the things that need a little more love and leave the perfect ones for others,” she said.
“At Plantation Pines, our focus and goal is for families to experience the world, create traditions, create memories together, and take time to enjoy this busy time of year,” Heather said.
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