My new favorite tree farm

I love getting a live Christmas tree and love the idea of going to a cut-your-own tree farm and hand selecting the perfect tree.  However, I have a particular idea about what the perfect tree should look like, and it’s typically not found at any of the tree farms in our area.   I have come to realize that when I put up my Christmas tree, I want a Fraser fir.  They look like my idea of a tree, their branches are strong enough to hold up ornaments, they smell lovely, and they aren’t too prickly to the touch.   However, they need a certain altitude to grow in and are not common in my area.

In years past, we’ve done the tree farm 5k – where we wander around the fields while I methodically reject every tree in sight.  The kids have fun running a muck, then we tromp back to the parking lot and pay for a pre-cut fraser fir that could have been had for a lot less money and fuss at Home Depot.

This year, I wanted to try again, so we stopped at Hartland Orchard/Hanks Christmas Trees on our way home from Grandma & Grandpas.  It was right off the interstate and claimed to have Fraser firs.

It turned out to be the perfect place on the perfect day.  The weather was warm and sunny and it was a great diversion after 3+ hours in the car.  The kids had a blast running the tree lines and enjoying the outdoors.

The even had some goats and chickens to visit.

I had hoped this would be our Christmas card photo, but unfortunately, I had left my camera on a funky setting and the picture quality stunk.

It’s also an orchard, so we got a ginormous apple dipped in caramel.

Surprisingly, the girl didn’t like all that sticky sweet caramel on her apple.

It was a great outing and I was very happy with the tree we picked out.  Stay tuned to see it decorated!