When I come out here, I think of Linus and his search for the most "sincere" pumpkin patch. Except that I'm always here for a Christmas tree instead. And yes, this urban cowboy really loves finding and cutting down his own tree in a small forest off a country road in Butler county. Heck, I'd drive out here just for the smell. God bless us, every one!
Two things I really like:
1. It's no-nonsense. No hay wagons or sleigh rides, no Santas or Chipmunks music. You drive in, walk through their beautiful little forest, pick one out, cut it down, and drag it out. They bale it for you and you're on your way.
2. It's low-key, and the trees are never too picked over. We always pick up the tree late in the season, so it's important not to be left only with scraggly and weird-shaped trees. (We put candles on the tree instead of electric lights -- an old German tradition -- so it's important to wait until close to Christmas before picking it up.) In short, we're glad this place isn't more popular, and the tree we come away with is always gorgeous.
We get Colorado Spruce, but they also have Scotch Pine, Douglas Fir, Blue Spruce, Concolor Fir. An 8-foot tree runs about $20.
The dudes who run the place are a surly, cheerless bunch, probably understandable since they have to stand out in the elements all day and deal with city folk like me. Little do they realize that their surliness only seems to add to the sincerity of the place for me. I ask you, Linus, would the place be as sincere if they put on Santa hats and had faux Christmas cheer?
Great trees, good folk. (The tree farm is "family owned and operated for over 50 years".) I highly recommend it. read more