Oh Christmas Tree...

[30abob]

This is our first Christmas in SoWal. I am only somewhat familiar with what lies North of the bay, but in my travels I have yet to see a Christmas Tree farm. My family has a "strong" tradition (meaning my 4 kids won't accept any changes or alternate plans) of trekking to a real tree farm and watching dear old dad (me) hack down the "Griswald Family Christmas Tree." I need help, where is the nearest tree farm? We're willing to drive, so even South Alabama is on the table. On second thought maybe I should limit it to 70 miles or so, I don't want to spend all the tree money on gas!

[SWGB]

[Lisa Ruby]

There's Strickland's in DeFuniak, you might want to give them a call and check out their offerings since we've had a long drought this year.

[InletBchDweller]

Here is a GREAT website


http://www.pickyourownchristmastree....spanhandle.php

[Franny]

Here is a GREAT website


http://www.pickyourownchristmastree....spanhandle.php

That is amazing!! I never knew we had so many choices in our area. These are MUCH better than the one in Defuniak. We want a living tree to transplant after Christmas..maybe a cypress. Good job ibd!!

[30abob]

Thanks IBD!!!!!!!!!!!

[Teresa]

good stuff IBD!

I've never been to strickland's - does anyone know if they have a good selection of trees?

[ItzKatzTime]

Doug, Kalie and I got a special surprise this year....a hand delivered Christmas tree! At 10:30 p.m. we hear this knock on our door, then the doorbell, then a HO HO HO HO!

We all looked at each other like we had seen the Ghost of Christmas' Past! We peaked out the window...and couldn't see anyone or anything. Finally we opened the front door and there stood a beautiful Christmas Tree with two sets of feet for a stand! Behind it stood my eldest daughter Bonnie and her husband Paul. What a treat!!!!!

We had an early christmas gathering with lots of hugs and kisses and another memory made!!!!

LET THE SEASON OF LOVE BEGIN!

[SWGB]

Doug, Kalie and I got a special surprise this year....a hand delivered Christmas tree! At 10:30 p.m. we hear this knock on our door, then the doorbell, then a HO HO HO HO!

We all looked at each other like we had seen the Ghost of Christmas' Past! We peaked out the window...and couldn't see anyone or anything. Finally we opened the front door and there stood a beautiful Christmas Tree with two sets of feet for a stand! Behind it stood my eldest daughter Bonnie and her husband Paul. What a treat!!!!!

We had an early christmas gathering with lots of hugs and kisses and another memory made!!!!

LET THE SEASON OF LOVE BEGIN!

That is soooo cute

[ShallowsNole]

good stuff IBD!

I've never been to strickland's - does anyone know if they have a good selection of trees?

We used to go, back when Mr. & Mrs. Strickland were still living and running the farm themselves, and back before I realized that the reason Wes and I were sick every Christmas was that I was bringing a pine tree into the house.

It's been nearly ten years now (if not more), but it was THE place to get your tree if you were from DeFuniak or the surrounding area. Only problem was, most everybody from DeFuniak would go out around Thanksgiving and "tag" their tree, so what was left were the lopsided ones.

I used to drive Fuzz crazy, because I had to look at EVERY tree before I picked one. It was an all-day event!

[ItzKatzTime]

That is soooo cute

Thanks sowalgayboi....it meant so much to me! My younger daughter Kalie said, "Okay Mom, now we need to Pay It Forward"! She is so right....got to love the wisdom of youth!!!

[30abob]

Fast Food meal at Arby's for 6 on the way home... $30

8-1/2' Leyland Cypress Christmas Tree (our family standard) from Strickland-Davis in DFS... $66

4 Happy Kids and 1 Happy Wife (decorating as I type)... "Priceless"

Thanks again for the recommendation(s)!

I highly recommend Stickland-Davis; not too bad of a drive, nice people, good trees!

[hnooe]

This is our first Christmas in SoWal. I am only somewhat familiar with what lies North of the bay, but in my travels I have yet to see a Christmas Tree farm. My family has a "strong" tradition (meaning my 4 kids won't accept any changes or alternate plans) of trekking to a real tree farm and watching dear old dad (me) hack down the "Griswald Family Christmas Tree." I need help, where is the nearest tree farm? We're willing to drive, so even South Alabama is on the table. On second thought maybe I should limit it to 70 miles or so, I don't want to spend all the tree money on gas!

I think family Holiday traditions are important and sacred, but I don't really think cutting down living trees is the way to go anymore.... How about artificial trees or ones or native tree than can be re-planted in Spring?

[30A Skunkape]

I think family Holiday traditions are important and sacred, but I don't really think cutting down living trees is the way to go anymore.... How about artificial trees or ones or native tree than can be re-planted in Spring?

Just a guess, but I bet almost all the trees we buy are from tree farms which must practice good forestry if they are to stay in business. And while I don't drink the fear mongerer's kool-aid, I bet more 'toxins' are produced in the manufacture of artificial trees.

[30A Skunkape]

Oh yeah, buying a live tree almost guarantees supporting an American or Canadian business. I am willing to bet most if not all fake trees are manufactured in the People's Republic of human right's abuse and lead based paint.

[LightWorker]

Fast Food meal at Arby's for 6 on the way home... $30

8-1/2' Leyland Cypress Christmas Tree (our family standard) from Strickland-Davis in DFS... $66

4 Happy Kids and 1 Happy Wife (decorating as I type)... "Priceless"

Thanks again for the recommendation(s)!

I highly recommend Stickland-Davis; not too bad of a drive, nice people, good trees!

Sounds like a good time

[30abob]

I think family Holiday traditions are important and sacred, but I don't really think cutting down living trees is the way to go anymore.... How about artificial trees or ones or native tree than can be re-planted in Spring?

How many of these "living trees" would have been planted if there wasn't a profitable market for them?

We take for granted that the trees we see around us have always been there... when in fact only a few generations ago the entire landscape had been completely stripped bare. If not for enterprising souls who saw the possibility to derive some monetary gain from planting NEW trees we might reside in a barren treeless landscape. Have you ever seen pictures of the English countryside? It's beautiful, but the "forests" are tourist attractions.

As long as there is a viable market for trees (of any kind) there will be new ones planted, remove the monetary gain and the few that are planted for aesthetics or mandated by covenants will be all that remain. Same principle for animals... don't ever worry about cows and chickens making the endangered species list. As far as "renewable" / "recyclable" resources go trees are near the top of the list, talk about a "GREEN" business - this is a great one. Just my two cents...

[Teresa]

I don't understand the attraction to a fake tree. sure, its easier, cheaper, less mess, less stress, allergen-free (?). but its not a tree! my family enjoys the hunt for the perfect tree (must be tall and fat). it's part of christmas tradition.

some day I may tire of all the hassle of a fresh cut tree. I'm thinking I'll plant one outside near the house and let that be my tree - decorated with lights and funn outdoor ornaments, gourds, birdhouses, feeders, pine cones, etc. and maybe a very small fresh cut indoor tree.

[Teresa]

found a gorgeous tree right here in santa rosa beach! On Hwy 98, headed west toward sandestin, on the left is a Florist (Pam's Flowers) and Nursery (Destin Palms or something). They have tons of gorgeous fresh cut trees from North Carolina, standing in buckets of water. Prices are certainly better than the Destin lot.

There is no sign at this point so you really have to look. Just a little past the Post Office/Coco's shopping center.

Great find. thanks to jdarg.

[Teresa]

also, make sure to check out tc's post on South Walton Montessori Academy's tree sale!

[ame="http://www.sowal.com/bb/showthread.php?t=18272"]Christmas Tree & Wreath Sale - SoWal Beaches Forum[/ame]

[tistheseason]

Just a guess, but I bet almost all the trees we buy are from tree farms which must practice good forestry if they are to stay in business. And while I don't drink the fear mongerer's kool-aid, I bet more 'toxins' are produced in the manufacture of artificial trees.

My sister and I were having this debate the other day. . . .which is better for the environment. I say the fresh tree. The Christmas tree was planted for this particular purpose and I imagine the farmer is planting another one in it's place. And the artificial tree is to end up in a land fill eventually -- at least the box that it was delivered in will. Don't get me wrong, I would LOVE an artificial tree (My husband won't even consider it!) And there are a lot of reasons to justify getting one. . . . I just don't think you can say that it's the GREEN way to go.

[joho]

For years we enjoyed a real tree. Even after the tree had dried up and started to loose all the needles. Draging the thing down the back steps, and cleaning the debri left behind. Of course when I asked for help no one was to be found.

Now that the kids are gone it's so much easier to take that 6 ft Walmart tree out of the box and when Christmas is over put it back it for another year.

The kids have kept the tradition of real trees in their homes. Now they're getting an idea of the clean up Mom did every year.

Poetic Justice

[cp]

I too bought a potted tree that can be transplanted outside. I just like living things. Back in the 80's I grew Christmas trees (just for friends and family) to come cut. I joined the MS/LA Christmas Tree Assoc. and planted about 50 one year and 25 the next. You really have to stay on top of the prunning . I still have some that are huge in one corner of a pasture.
This past couple of weeks I decided that staying busy was the best thing to do without my Johnny so I've raked 2 yards,planted 40 something tulep bulbs,lots of paperwhites,and some yellow things.Parts of what I've raked has more leaves on it now so tomorrow I'll rake some more. I'm just thinking of it as free exercise and enjoying the outdoors the weather is so nice,yesterday it broke a record set in 1972 of 82degrees. But thats ok, no a/c and no heat!!!!I wore shorts to choir practice last night .(even if it was a practice for our Christmas program)

[Miss Kitty]

For years we enjoyed a real tree. Even after the tree had dried up and started to loose all the needles. Draging the thing down the back steps, and cleaning the debri left behind. Of course when I asked for help no one was to be found.

Now that the kids are gone it's so much easier to take that 6 ft Walmart tree out of the box and when Christmas is over put it back it for another year.

The kids have kept the tradition of real trees in their homes. Now they're getting an idea of the clean up Mom did every year.

Poetic Justice

I hear you. Never thought we would have a faux tree. Found one last year that looked so cute and woodsy, I just had to get it. Not having to put the lights on it is the biggest bonus...plus it is already here and we can get it out whenever we want. And...NO MORE CHECKING THE WATER LEVEL!!!! My son does snarl at the tree, though.

[Teresa]

my favorite tree was a potted cypress that was so big and beautiful with long soft needles, beautifully shaped, with a unique green color.

Miss Kitty - we snarled at my mother's artificial tree for years. she had raised us on real trees with tinsel and a hodge podge of ornaments collected (and made) over the years. we grow up and she goes and gets this perfect fake tree and then decorated it perfectly like in the department store. we were horrified. but, it is beautiful and we've adjusted...