Christmas tree farms open for business

Christmas tree farmers are the most optimistic people in the world.

That's not a surprising statement coming from Catherine Howard, editor and publisher of Kansas-based Christmas Trees Magazine.

Their optimism stems not only from the fact that they sell one of the most popular holiday decorations, but also from knowing that when it comes to Christmas tree growing, you just have to roll with it.

"Mother Nature doesn't always cooperate," said Andy Kinsey, co-owner of the Kinsey Family Farm in Cumming, where the staff of 30 was prepping thousands of trees last week for opening day.

The economy doesn't always cooperate either, but fortunately, said Howard, it isn't expected to have a major impact on Christmas tree sales this year. What does pose a challenge is competition from fake trees, 80 percent of which are imported from China.

"There are [real] trees for every budget," Howard said. "We are encouraging people to buy American."

This year, the Kinsey Family Farm hopes to sell 2,500 to 3,000 trees priced from a $15 "Charlie Brown" tree to $250 for the biggest Fraser fir.

There are 10 varieties of trees at the Kinsey Family Farm, Kinsey said. Different types of trees come in three different forms. There are pre-cut trees, such as the popular Fraser fir. Trees to choose and cut include the Leland cypress. And the Norway spruce is among the trees that come as ball and burlap, trees with roots still attached for replanting.

No matter what type of tree they are seeking, shoppers all have the same question, Kinsey said: "Will it last until Christmas?"

With proper care, the answer is yes, but some shoppers have outsize expectations.

"People think, let's put it up after Thanksgiving and leave it up until the Super Bowl," Howard said. "It is not going to last that long."

Tips for buyers

Here are some tips for buying a Christmas tree:

1. Run your hand down the branches. If needles come off, don't buy the tree.
2. Bend the branches, and make sure none break.
3. Get a tree with a straight trunk that will fit in your stand. You may want to take your stand with you. It should hold at least a gallon of water. Many growers have proper stands available for purchase.
4. If you plan to put the tree up right away, have the grower trim the trunk. If you don't want to put it up immediately, store the tree in water inside a garage or shed away from wind and sun. When you are ready to put the tree up, cut off another half-inch of the trunk before placing it in the stand.
5. To save money, buy a tree that grows locally (not from imported seed). If your tree is going into a corner, ask the grower for corner trees (trees used for making wreaths or other items) at a reduced price.

Source: Catherine Howard, editor and publisher of Christmas Trees Magazine

Some places to buy Christmas trees

Berry's Christmas Tree Farm

• 70 Mount Tabor Road, Covington. 770-786-1370, www.berrystreefarm.com.
• Hours: 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m. daily
• Features: Gift shop, hayrides, tree wrapping, saws provided.

Bottoms' Christmas Tree Farm

• 5880 John Burruss Road, Cumming. 404-538-0493, www.bottomstreefarm.com.
• Hours: 9 a.m. to dark Nov. 23-26, then 3 p.m. to dark Mondays-Fridays; 9 a.m. to dark Saturdays; closed on Sundays
• Features: Complimentary marshmallow roast and apple cider. Farm animals on display. Homemade jams, jellies and bread. Custom-made wreaths. Tree stands. Free drilling and bagging.

The Kinsey Family Farm

• 7170 Jot-em Down Road, Cumming. 770-887-6028, www.kinseyfamilyfarm.com/christmas.html.
• Hours: Noon-7 p.m. Mondays-Fridays (closed Thanksgiving Day); 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Black Friday, Saturdays and Sundays
• Features: Music, roasting marshmallows, and hot chocolate at the barn. Take a free wagon ride through the 35-acre tree plantation. Wreaths, garlands, tree stands and more.

The Old Barn Christmas Tree Farm

• 24 Slaughter Road, Sunny Side. 770-227-5237, www.theoldbarnchristmastrees.com.
• Hours: Noon to dark Mondays-Fridays (beginning Thanksgiving Day); 8 a.m. to dark Saturdays; 1 p.m. to dark Sundays
• Features: Apple cider, tree stands, local handicrafts, coloring books and crayons, tree shaking, baling and loading, nature trail.

Red Land Nursery

• 86 Red Land Bend Road, Temple. 770-562-4303, www.redlandnursery.net/christmas.html.
• Hours: 9 a.m. to dark daily (beginning Thanksgiving Day)
• Features: Fire pit, boiled peanuts, tree stands, handmade fresh evergreen wreaths, tree shaking machine, tree netting, Christmas music, hayrides on request.

Smith's Choose and Cut

• 230 Davis Road, Fayetteville. 770-487-7474.
• Hours: Noon-5 p.m. Mondays- Fridays; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays beginning Nov. 27
• Features: Saws provided.

Thompson's Tree Farm

• 1829 Prospect Road, Lawrenceville. 770-513-2552, www.thompsonstreefarm.gacta.com.
• Hours: 2-5 p.m. Thanksgiving Day, then 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. daily
• Features: Hayrides on weekends. Free hot chocolate and hot cider at the gift shop. Homemade jams and jellies, Christmas crafts and gifts, bows, wreaths, garland and tree stands. Santa and Mrs. Claus will visit from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Dec. 3. Enjoy the music, roast marshmallows and s'mores.

Worthington Tree Farm

• 145 Twin Oaks Drive, Hampton. 770-478-4355, www.georgiachristmastrees.com.
• Hours: 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays (beginning Thanksgiving Day), 12:30-5:30 p.m. Sundays
• Features: Free hayrides to and from fields on weekend, weather permitting; children's attractions, Christmas crafts, gifts, wreaths, bows, garland, tree decorations and more. Saws provided.