FRENCH CREEK – During the Christmas holiday season, most people are stressed and have trouble finding time to complete tasks.
So, why not relieve some of that stress by getting the family together while the weather is not too cold and heading outdoors to take in the autumnal colors?
French Creek Christmas Trees, located at 943 Beechtown Road in French Creek, is once again offering folks the opportunity to visit the farm and select and tag their Christmas tree. Owners Ron and Matilda Fowler posted on Saturday that they are offering people the opportunity to pre-select their Christmas tree in October to allow for ‘tree-mendous’ opportunities for families to choose their holiday centerpiece before Old Man Winter sets in and freezes the landscape.
Matilda Fowler said folks are welcome to come to the farm, walk through their fields and enjoy the beautiful West Virginia autumn – all while having the chance to select that special tree for Christmas 2020.
“We ask that folks who want to come and pre-select their perfect fir either message or call us at 304-924-5584 or 304-516-4919 to make sure we will be home,” Matilda said, adding that people are welcome to send French Creek Christmas Trees a message on Facebook as well. “We have tags that are shaped like Christmas Trees with space for a name and phone number. When someone comes to tag their tree, we give them a tag and a red ribbon that says, ‘sold.’ They go wander through the field and pick out whatever tree they will want and tag it.”
Matilda said some of the advantages of early tagging are that people get a better selection for their Christmas Tree, especially those looking for a larger tree.
“You also get to select your tree during the nice autumn weather when there is sunshine and even a cool breeze,” Matilda said. “Then, when you get ready to come in late November or early December and pick up your tree when it’s only 10 degrees and the wind is blowing, you just take the saw and cut down your tree, rather than wander all over trying to make a selection.”
Just because French Creek Christmas Trees is offering a pre-selection option does not mean that when they open the Friday following Thanksgiving that people cannot select their Christmas Trees then.
“Folks can still come then and pick out and harvest their trees – pre-selection is an option and is not a requirement,” Matilda emphasized.
French Creek Christmas Trees has been offering cut-your-own Christmas Trees for more than 30 years, and they have a huge selection of white pine as well as Canaan Firs.
“The trees range in size from about five feet to eight foot,” Matilda said. “We have some bigger trees in the white pine, but most people prefer the Canaan Fir because it retains its needles very well and is a sturdy tree which holds the heavier ornaments. The Canaan Fir also has a fir aroma – a citrusy smell. A lot of people like that.”
She said the white pine is soft and pliable.
“It is very good for lighter ornaments like the old-fashioned ones and is preferable if children will be helping to do the decorating,” Matilda said.
People who come to the farm and tag their 2020 Christmas Tree will not be required to pay for their tree until they come back to cut it down, have it wrapped and take it home.
Matilda said families coming to French Creek Christmas Trees to tag their tree ahead of their traditional opening on the Friday following Thanksgiving has become a growing trend.
“Due to COVID, we will not be having the Santa event this year; however, do not be surprised if Santa and Frosty show up for a few hours on the days when we open on nice weather days,” Matilda said. “Once we open the Friday after Thanksgiving, our helpful staff will be wearing face coverings and practicing social distancing. We are providing a hand-sanitation station and will by sanitizing the hand saws after each person uses them.”
Additional information about French Creek Christmas Trees is available on Facebook and online at http://wvchristmastrees.com/.
