New Virginia Christmas Tree Guide Lists Choose-and-Cut Farms and Retail Lots for Fresh Virginia Grown Trees
Contact: Elaine Lidholm, 804.786.7686
Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and with it comes the start of the Christmas tree season. Most farms open the day after Thanksgiving, and some are open that afternoon, but your search can begin now with the new 2011 Virginia Grown Christmas Tree Guide. The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) has just published the latest edition, which is available free to the public and also online at www.virginiagrown.com.
The Guide includes information on Christmas tree farms across the state and lists them by city or county for easy reference. It is a valuable resource to help you select the ideal farm or retail lot for your Virginia Grown tree.
In this year’s Guide you’ll find an amazing variety of trees, such as Fraser, Douglas, Canaan and concolor fir; Norway and Colorado blue spruce; Scotch, Virginia and white pine; as well as Leyland cypress and cedar. But you’ll find a whole lot more. Many farms offer hot cider, visits with Santa, hayrides, marshmallow-roasting, animals to pet, coloring books, nature trails, candy canes, a crackling fire and a special experience called a Day on the Farm. Several Christmas tree operations encourage picnicking and many take great pride in the beauty of their mountain views or woodland settings. Extras like these can turn the search for the perfect Christmas tree into a memorable excursion for family and friends.
Along with their trees, many growers also sell wreaths, garland, holiday greenery, roping, sprays, centerpieces and tree stands. Some also have Christmas shops selling unique decorations, ornaments, handmade crafts, bows and gifts, including Virginia's Finest specialty foods and beverages.
In addition to the basics about each farm, such as hours of operation, directions and contact information, the Christmas Tree Guide details the services available. These may include providing handsaws and twine, tree-shaking to remove dead needles, tree-baling or wrapping for easier transport and assistance cutting your tree and getting it in from the field to your vehicle.
Freshness is an important feature of every locally-grown Virginia Christmas tree. Freshly-cut trees retain their needles longer and are less flammable than trees brought in from out-of-state, which may be cut as much as a month or more in advance. The Guide offers tips about caring for both cut and live trees to make sure they add their beauty and fragrance to the holiday celebration for as long as possible.
In Virginia, Christmas tree farming is a major agricultural industry that contributes substantially to the state’s economy and to its healthy environment. As mature trees are cut, new seedlings are planted each year, making Christmas trees one of our most renewable resources.
For a free copy of the 2011 Virginia Grown Christmas Tree Guide, send the request to 2011 Christmas Tree Guide, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, P. O. Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23218, or call 804.786.3935. Listings from the Guide are also available online at www.virginiagrown.com.