What to expect
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f you’ve never been to a tree farm, there are a few suggestions to keep in mind: For both Guggisberg Tree Farm and Hacker’s Tree Farm and Nursery, you should bring your own hand saw, as well as a flash light if you are going when it’s dark out. Hacker’s does provide a hand saw if you don’t have access to one. Do to safety and environmental reasons, chain saws are not allowed. At Guggisberg Tree Farm, any trees that can be cut will have a tag on them that includes a price and the type of tree. Guggisberg said his staff will cut a tree for customers who don’t feel comfortable doing it themselves. They will also help shake off the old tree needles and help load the tree onto a vehicle. Hacker’s Tree Farm will also assist customers, and has pre-cut trees for sale as an alternative . While Guggisberg said that most people will buy a tree that ranges
from six to nine feet high, they do offer trees up to 14 feet for those who have open or vaulted ceilings. “Most trees are going to run $40-75 until we get to those big ones, which can be expensive,” he said. Above Hacker’s Tree Farm is located outside SleepyEye. Below Rows of Prices for Christmas trees Christmas-ready trees at Guggisberg’s near New Ulm. | Submitted photos at Hacker’s Tree through his evergreen forest, as well Farm vary by variety. For example, as a tractor pull to get customers a Norway Pine costs around $2.50 a through the Christmas Trees. Lynn foot, while a Canaan Fir can cost Hacker also teaches people how to about $5.50 a foot. make wreaths on site. “We have cut-your-own trees Hacker said, “Our main anywhere from 5 foot to 20 foot,” advertising theme is come to the Hacker said. country and cut your own tree, and Hacker’s also offers train rides have a good family experience.”
Choosing the right tree
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rying to choose a tree variety can be difficult, especially when there are close to a dozen varieties at both Guggisberg and Hacker’s tree farms. Tony Guggisberg said the Balsam fir and the Fraser fir are his farm’s biggest sellers. “The Balsam fir has short needles that are soft, and they smell really nice,” he said. “They are very fragrant.” The Fraser, Guggisberg said, features short, small needles that tend to stay on the tree longer, which is a “big plus because people don’t want to pick up a lot of needles.” “If you want to find one that holds needles really well, you want to go with the Fraser fir,” he said. Dan Hacker agreed that firs are the most popular, especially Frasers, Canaan and Balsams. The Fraser Fir, he said, “is a good tree for holding needles and moisture.” Scotch pines are a traditional choice with stiff needles, strong branches and excellent needle retention. White pines, however, have softer needles. The stately and symmetrial blue spruce has sharp, stiff needles and strong branches that are good for decorating, but may be a poor choice for children.
Caring for your tree
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hile picking out the perfect tree may have seemed like the toughest task, caring for it can prove to be even trickier if consumers aren’t educated. “Number one, don’t put them by a fire place,” Hacker said. “Number two, before you put it off, make a fresh cut. You need to cut off one inch and put it immediately in water. You can’t let it
dry out.” Hacker said if you don’t properly care for the tree, the bottom will seal up again. If that happens, he recommended the consumer drill holes in it or re-cut the base. Having a large enough water stand is also crucial, as the tree may consume up to a gallon of water a day. “The first two days they take in a great amount of water,” Guggisberg said. “They have to keep it watered and away from a heat source.” Guggisberg said he puts up his own tree a few weeks before Christmas, but the life of a cut tree can vary. “It all depends on how people take care of them,” he said. “We always hope they can get four weeks out of the tree.”
MANKATO MAGAZINE • december 2013 • 33