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closeWednesday, Nov. 25, 2009
East Texas tree farms let you choose and cut and have family fun
Whether you want to saw for yourself or pick and point, these East Texas tree farms offer aromatic evergreens, as well as family fun
By PATRICIA RODRIGUEZ TERRELL
Special to dfw.com
In the olden days, Christmas trees didn’t spring, pre-lit, from a box you stored all year in the attic. You actually had to go out and cut down a real tree.
Out in the Piney Woods of East Texas, that tradition is still alive. The native pine forests just two or three hours to the east are home to the kind of old-fashioned, family-run tree plantations where you’ll feel you stepped back a generation or three. Pick a home-grown tree. Warm up around a fire pit. Take a hayride. Get to know one of the Texas families that own these farms and are eager to help you establish an old-fashioned Christmas tradition of your own.
Everybody grows the same varieties: fragrant Virginia pines and Leyland Cypresses, which some swear are hypoallergenic. Most also import pre-cut Fraser firs from North Carolina.
Go well before nightfall; the whole process takes at least a couple hours, and nobody wants you wandering around in the dark with a saw.
All farms listed open for the season Friday and stay open until Christmas Eve, or till they run out of trees.
Plantation Pines Christmas Tree Farm
Location: 10098 County Road 429, Tyler
The story: Farmer Nick Wiggins knew early on that wife Nancy was the woman for him: Back in 1989, when they’d barely started dating, she helped him plant trees for the Christmas tree farm he was starting. Twenty years later, it’s a family affair, with their kids and other relatives trimming trees, selling gifts and driving hay wagons.
Claim to fame: Nick is president this year of the Texas Christmas Tree Growers Association, so the Wiggins family will deliver farm-raised trees to the state Capitol next week.
The trees: About 1,000 pre-tagged trees scattered over 20 acres of the 30-acre farm. Handsaws and a ride to the fields are provided.
What’s new: Stay for family nights, starting at 5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturdays. Bring marshmallows and hot dogs to roast around the campfire, then, at 6:30, pile on for a 30-minute hayride. Reservations preferred; $5 per person.
Prices: $5.75 per foot, with trees from 4 to 11 feet.
Extras: The Wiggins live on this working farm, complete with goats, chickens and rabbits. There’s a free play area; a gift shop sells fresh wreaths, door swags, ornaments, handmade shotgun-shell garland lights, candles and wooden puzzles.
Hours: 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 1-5:30 p.m. Sunday and Tuesday-Thursday
Contact: 903-595-2046; www.plantationpinesfarms.com
Canton Christmas Tree Farm
Location: Farm Road 17 at Interstate 20, Canton (Exit 528)
The story: Can’t get lost on the way to this one; you’ll see the giant inflatable slide right off Interstate 20. Chuck and Kama Bozeman opened their 32-acre plot to the public in 2000, with cut-your-own trees, hayrides and a barrel train for kids. Every year, they’ve added more stuff, like Santa visits and a Ferris wheel.
The trees: Take a complimentary hayride to the back 16 acres to choose from 6,000 trees, ranging from about 4 to 11 feet tall.
What’s new: More rides, including Tubs of Fun (the tubs spin, like those Disney teacups), pony rides and a corn cannon, which, as you’d guess, involves shooting corn. Out of a cannon.
Prices: $6 per foot. A 24-pack of ride tickets is $20; carnival rides take two tickets, and pony rides require three.
Extras: A dozen rides and games; concession stand; log-cabin gift shop with ornaments, wreaths and seasonal tchotchkes.
Hours: 9 a.m.-dark Friday-Sunday; 1-5:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday for trees only, no activities
Contact: 214-808-6467; www.cantonchristmastreefarm.com
Merket Christmas Tree Farm
Location: 785 Farm Road 1794W, Beckville (about 15 miles south of Marshall)
The story: Jackie Merket was a cotton farmer in West Texas, but when he moved to East Texas, he took up Christmas trees instead. From 5 acres when it opened in 1988, the farm is up to 30 acres now.
The trees: The Merkets tag about 2,000 trees with height and price; shoppers pull the tag and workers cut down the tree and haul it to your car. "Sure, you can cut it yourself, but we find people usually do it one year and that’s all it takes," Debbie Merket says.
Claim to fame: In 2001, the Merkets were invited to bring a tree to the presidential retreat, Camp David. They didn’t meet the Bushes, but they did get vetted by the Secret Service and tour the White House.
Prices: $25 and up; trees from 4 to more than 20 feet
Extras: Sip hot cider, browse the gift shop for homemade jelly and candles, and check out the goats in the petting zoo. Or watch some football; a TV is always on for those who can’t miss the game. Santa appears weekends.
Hours: 9 a.m.-dark Friday-Sunday, 3 p.m.-dark weekdays
Contact: 903-678-2359; www.texaschristmastrees.net/merketfarm.htm
Cypress Springs Tree & Berry Farm
Location: 506 County Road 4345 S.E., Scroggins
The story: Ken and Julie Johnson took over the 32-acre farm from Ken’s parents in 2007, but it has been in the family since 1991. About 15 acres are planted in Christmas trees; there’s also a 3-acre park with swings, slides and picnic tables, and a farm-animal menagerie, including longhorns, horses, geese, peacocks, roosters, a mule and Rambo the ram.
Prices: $7 per foot. Look for bargain "yellow stump" trees. Johnson picks trees he wants to move because of their size or location, paints the base bright yellow and sells them for $25. (The yellow paint gets trimmed off.)
What’s new: Keep kids busy in a bounce house, for a 50-cent charge. A new "couples park" has benches and tables for adults who’d prefer to picnic in peace and quiet. There’s a Santa sleigh, gingerbread house and covered wagon for photo ops.
Extras: Roast marshmallows or hot dogs over two fire pits; go on a scavenger hunt or explore mapped nature trails. The gift shop sells locally made jewelry, carved wooden ornaments, candles and fresh gingerbread. Free coffee and spiced tea.
Hours: 9 a.m.-dark Friday and Saturday, 1 p.m.-dark Sunday
Contact: 903-860-2588; http:// texaschristmastrees.net/cypresssprings.htm
MR and MS Trees
Location: 342 County Road 2908, Palestine
The story: Rick and Michaelene Sparks opened the farm in 2000 after Rick retired from the Navy. It’s a year-round working farm; the Sparks turn the ground floor of their home into the gift shop for the holiday season.
The trees: About 25 of the 60 acres are planted in Christmas trees, with about 1,500 trees for sale.
Prices: $5.50 a foot for trees under 8 feet; $5.75 for trees over 8 feet
Extras: Fire pit; play area with horseshoes, swings and a duck-race game for kids; gift shop with handmade, locally sourced items like horseshoe crosses, stockings, jewelry, scarves and wreaths; free Wi-Fi. Indian fry bread is sold from a full-size teepee open on weekends.
Hours: 9 a.m.-dark Wednesday-Saturday, 1 p.m.-dark Sunday
Contact: 903-538-0160; www.mrandmstrees.com
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