Local Christmas tree farm, keepin' it real

By Staff
Melissa Dozier-Cason, FCT Writer
Remember a time when kids and their parents went outdoors in search of the perfect Christmas tree? The kids would help pick it out and help saw it down before dragging it back to the house to be decorated with tensile and garland.
Now, in 2006 and in the world of instant and plastic, opportunities for cutting your own Christmas tree are few and far between. However, these memories can still be made while visiting a local Christmas tree farm.
Shell's Christmas Tree Farm, owned by Greg and Weeta Shell, has 43 acres with over 3,000 trees that can be taken home,and you can even saw it down yourself.
"We sold our first tree in 1988 but the farm actually opened in 1990," Weeta said.
The farm has already sold about 500 trees this season. Early tagging began in early November but the farm does not open until Thanksgiving Day.
Customers can cut their own tree or have it cut for them. The farm sells a special tree stand with a nail in the middle to guarantee the tree will stand straight.
The farm has other activities including wagon rides and group activities. Santa also visits the farm twice a year.
There is also a gift shop where Christmas items are sold and customers can see a few fresh trees decorated.
The Shells attract customers from Tennessee, Mississippi, and as far away as North Carolina.
The tree fields are rotated so the soil does not get too used to one particular tree. Each year, thousands of new trees are planted in an effort to keep the farm stocked with fresh Christmas trees.
"It takes four to six years for a tree to grow large enough to become a Christmas tree," Weeta said.
The farm grows Virginia Pines, Leyland Cypress, White Pines, and Carolina Sapphires. Northern trees, including Fraser and Canaan Fir trees, are brought in just before Thanksgiving to give guests more of a selection.
"We give the northern trees a fresh cut once they get here, and we place them in a bucket of water to keep them fresh," Weeta added.
The key to keeping a real tree fresh until New Year's is water. Cut trees are thirsty and drink between two pints and one gallon of water per day, according to the National Christmas Tree Association.
"It is important that the water line stays over the stem or it will reseal itself, and the tree will become dry," Weeta noted.
Fire prevention is another concern when it comes to real trees. The National Christmas Tree Association recommends that worn or frayed lights be thrown away, and cautions consumers about overloading electrical outlets. Trees should also be placed away from fireplaces and other heat sources in order to prevent premature drying.