CHRISTMAS TREES

2008 marks our 62nd anniversary of growing Christmas trees! The Jaynes family planted their first Christmas trees in 1947 as part of a 4-H project. We have over 25 acres of trees at two locations. Plan on visiting our Evergreen Avenue site for the best selection of trees in 2008. However, if you don't want to choose and cut a tree from the fields, both sites will be offering a large selection of premium pre-cut balsam and fraser trees. We are also well known for our hand-made wreaths crafted from unusual and traditional greens, such as holly and winterberry. Wreaths range in size from 12 to 48 inches and may be customized to order.

We open the Friday after Thanksgiving. The price of all field trees over 6 feet is $45 (tax included).

In 2005, the Jaynes and Humphrey families donated the development rights on 18 acres of land used by the nursery to Connecticut Farmland Trust (www.ctfarmland.org). This ensures that the land will be farm land and open space forever.

Tree Species: Customer preference and local growing conditions determine the tree species grown. We have tried a dozen species and now grow the following (plus some specialty trees such as concolor fir):

Tree Farming: Growing Christmas trees is much like growing other crops except that the cycle from sowing seed to tree harvest is longer, usually 8 to 12 years. We buy 2-year old seedlings that are typically 6 to 12 inches tall. These are planted close together in transplant beds to grow for 2 more years, where they are mulched, fertilized and watered. The husky transplants, usually 10 to 20 inches tall, are then planted in the field. Weeds around the base of the trees are controlled by herbicides, aisles are mowed, and, once the trees are waist high, they are pruned annually. As with all plants, insect and disease problems are a continuing threat, so spraying is done when necessary.