T
h
e
P
r
e
s
en
t
So after several years of let-
ting the first crop of trees grow
enough to be cut down, the busi-
ness opened. “We planned years
in advance for this, but we were
ready. It was kind of slow going
at first, but it didn’t take long
before people heard about us and
business grew,” Barb said.
“
That first year we only sold
maybe 200 trees for the entire
season. Now we sell that many in
a day, usually,” she added.
While the store is open Oct.
1
through Dec. 24 (9 a.m. to 5
p.m. Monday through Saturday
and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sundays after
Thanksgiving), the tree cutting
season is basically Thanksgiving
through Christmas Eve. That’s
because even with watering, the
trees will dry out.
“
We do get people who want
trees for their family gathering at
Thanksgiving or even the week-
end before and we will accommo-
date them. But we also have those
who wait until Christmas Eve be-
cause of family tradition. That’s
why we are open until noon on
Christmas Eve,” Barb said.
The Roths grow white pines,
Scotch pines and a variety of firs.
The pines have firmer branches
for decorating, but the firs hold
their needles longer, which can
mean less clean-up at the end of
the holiday season.
They make the wreaths they
sell as well as centerpieces and
the shop will also flock trees us-
ing a cellulose (water and paper)
substance that is not messy and is
safe for pets, Barb said.
The elaborate decorations on
the trees inside the barn, which
Barb and her assistant Carol
begin decorating each August,
are there to give customers ideas
for decorating their own. Barb
goes on buying trips to find new
decorations and other gift items
that can be used to complement
the trees.
“
We try to have each tree tell
a story. For example, the tree we
call ‘Coming Home’ has differ-
ent decorations that can mean
something different to every
person but is about loved ones
coming home for the holidays,”
she said while showing the tree
that includes a window frame as
its topper.
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