Tree Farm

 The tree farm has been in his family for four generations. Eight hundred acres with names like Scotch pine, douglas fir, noble fir, balsam, and virginia pine, all contained in one thousand acres, where new growth replaces the old cut down by those seeking the whole Christmas experience. 

The old roadside stand still stands where his great-granddad built it so many years ago; it still has the wooden pegs he used instead of nails. Claiming the pegs would never rust. The city folks came every year to claim their trees as holiday music played from an old speaker his dad mounted on the shed when he was just a young boy.

On another three acres, he had white birch, cherry, and oak trees, which, when old enough, would be sold to the lumber mills to be cut into different lengths and loaded on box cars to their destinations.

Two acres were full of maple trees that produce the best maple syrup once they undergo the various stages of the production process. When bottled, the jars of syrup would line the shelves of the old stand, selling as fast as they could to city folk who believed in the syrup's healing ability. Or so it's said.

The final two acres were saved for the house that Great-Granddad built when he married Grandma, promising her the home of her dreams. It took him two years to complete the house, with some help from neighborhood friends who were always willing to lend a hand.

Today, it's my family and I who live in that house. I've added some upgrades, such as indoor plumbing and a new roof, but everything else remains unchanged from when it was built.

My favorite time of the year on the farm was Christmas by far. People drove for miles to visit the place named the best tree farm in the county, where hundreds of Christmas trees awaited selection and purchase to become this year's holiday tree. The old stand was filled with wreaths and holiday baked goods, as well as hot cocoa for anyone who asked.

I hope my kids will carry on the traditions of the past and appreciate the trees we have put to good use. I hope they continue to perfect the syrup and always replant a new tree for every one harvested.

But mostly, I hope they feel the awe that I do when I'm sitting on the porch that great-granddad built, where he would look out at his land and the little trees that would someday grow tall and bring joy to all who stopped by.

Mike 2025