Cut your own Christmas Tree
West Virginia tree farms and tips for keeping your tree fresh
Nov. 22, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Leslie Fitzwater
304-558-2203, ext. 342
lfitzwater@wvcommerce.org
CHARLESTON, W.Va. Looking for
a way to bring tradition to your holidays? Wishing that you could get that
nostalgic family project off the ground?
If so, heres one thats as simple as setting aside a few hours, hopping into
the car and heading for the farm tree farm, that is!
Across the state, there are tree farms that specialize in those wonderful evergreens whether you are inclined to pines (Scotch or White), firs (Canaan, Douglas, Fraser or Silver) or spruce (Norway, Serbian or Blue). Many offer services such as furnishing saws, baling and tree cleaning. Some have wreaths, boughs and swags as well as live potted trees. Tree farms vary in their operating hours, so call ahead to make sure your memory-making journey results in a good memory!
And, to make sure that your holiday tree is the best ever, follow these tips from the West Virginia Division of Forestry:
When selecting your tree, remember
that fresh pines and firs will hold their needles for several weeks and spruces
will hold their needles for at least two weeks if cared for with the following
recommendations.
Cut at least one inch off the main stem and place the tree in a clean pail
of warm water. Put the tree in a cool, shaded area where it will be protected
from the wind and sun until you are ready to take it indoors.
Cut another inch off the tree before you take it into the house.
Place the tree in a stand designed to hold water or in a bucket of clean
sand to which water can be added.
Trim the tree in all its finery. Sit back and enjoy your special tree throughout
the holiday.
Throughout the holiday,
check your tree each morning and be sure to add water if the supply is getting
low.
When the holiday season is over, dispose of your tree properly cutting
it up for mulch on your garden beds or setting it out for pick-up. Do not
try to burn it in the fireplace or a woodstove because this could be dangerous.
Where can you find tree farms? Here are some farms around the state that you can check with.
Braxton County
Berry Fork Enterprises, Heaters, 304-765-3014
Bug Ridge Tree Farm, Sutton, 304-765-2554
Cabell County
Jarvis Christmas Tree Farm, Milton, 304-743-6064
Fayette County
Absher Tree Farm, Mt. Hope, 304-877-5838
Grant County
May Christmas Tree Farm, Petersburg, 304-749-7294 or 304-749-8551
Greenbrier County
Crestwood Tree Farms, Crawley, 304-392-6921
Kanawha County
Whipkey Tree Farm, Charleston, 304-965-0375
Lincoln County
Wilkerson Christmas Tree Farm, Griffithsville, 304-524-2362
Mason County
Santas Forest, Pt. Pleasant, 304-675-4138
Mercer County
Bluestone Nursery, Camp Creek, 304-425-5928 or 304-887-1183
McTree, Fairmont, 304-366-8986 or 304-216-1992
Plateau Tree Farm and Nursery, Princeton, 304-384-7757 or 304-425-1608
Monongalia County
Hunter Tree Farm, Morgantown, 304-291-3782
Mulkeen Landscaping Nursery, Independence, 304-864-3688
Morgan County
Shrivers Christmas Trees, Berkeley Springs, 304-258-1159 or 240-277-6724
Sleepy Creek Tree Farm, Berkeley Springs, 304-258-4324 or 866-275-8303
Nicholas County
Park Place Christmas Trees, Mt. Lookout, 304-872-5464
Yagel Poor Farm, Summersville, 304-872-0956 or 304-575-2787
Preston County
Cress Farm, Kingwood, 304-329-1685
Kings Trees, Bruceton Mills, 304-379-8465
Marshall & Patti Miller, Terra Alta, 304-789-2183
Niemans Greenhouse and Nursery, Bruceton Mills, 304-379-4841
Roane County
Keatons Tree Farm, Amma, 304-565-3985
Upshur County
French Creek Christmas Trees, French Creek, 304-924-5584
French Creek Farms, French Creek, 304-924-6505
Webster County
Lakes Tree Farm, Webster Springs, 304-493-6473
Wood County
Evergreen Tree Farm, Mineral Wells, 304-489-9209 or 304-420-4550
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West Virginia Division of Tourism • 90 MacCorkle Ave., SW • South Charleston, WV 25303
304-558-2200 or 1-800-CALL-WVA • FAX: 304-558-2459 • www.callwvanews.com