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Oklahoma growers want their trees to be a part of your holiday season.

By Mike Nichols

8 • Oklahoma Country • Fall 2008

While you may not have started your Christmas shopping and other preparations, a small group of Oklahomans has been busy since last year’s Yuletide with its efforts directed toward December 25, 2008.

The 27 member-growers of the Oklahoma Christmas Tree Association (OCTA) hope a tree from one of their “choose and cut” farms will be the centerpiece of your holiday decorations.

Those producers should have more than 6,500 fresh, Oklahomagrown trees available for this year’s Christmas season.

Sequoyah County Farm Bureau member Matt Jarvis serves as vice president of the OCTA, and this Christmas season will be the second he and his family will have trees ready for harvest.

“OCTA is working hard to promote Oklahoma-grown Christmas trees,” said Matt, whose operation is located near Muldrow about 5 1/2 miles north of Interstate 40 on state Highway 64-B. “We’re all so spread out that we’re not really competitors. We help each other by sharing information and learning from each others’ mistakes.”

Julie and Matt, who reside north of Muldrow, are members of Sequoyah County Farm Bureau.

The Christmas tree growers can be reached by telephone at 918-427-5913.

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Matt’s tree plot occupies only a small portion of his 10 acres, but contains hundreds of pines and cypresses in perfectly straight rows stretching from the east to the west.

“We only had 100 trees ready last year, and we sold every one of them. We’ll have 250 ready this year.”

Matt is a native of Rush Springs, and toiled in the watermelon patches there as a young man. He relocated to the Fort Smith, Ark., area after graduating from Oklahoma State University in 1996 with a degree in management information systems.

He is employed by ABF Freight in Fort Smith and writes computer programs to support the freight transportation business.

“That’s my day job,” said Matt. “It allows me to come out here.”

Matt and his wife, Julie, who is a nurse, and their three sons, Justin, 12, Jonathan, 11, and Jacob, 9, moved to the Sequoyah

THINK YOU MIGHT LIKE to become a Christmas tree grower?

Members of the Oklahoma Christmas Tree Association (OCTA) welcome new growers into their fold.

“There is room for more growers in Oklahoma. We’re trying to promote the growing of trees,” said Matt Jarvis, OCTA vice president. “We’re working with OSU.” You can visit the association at okchristmastree.com and find information about becoming a member and starting your own farm.

Craig McKinley, a professor and Extension Forestry specialist at Oklahoma State University, works closely with the association and will host a seminar for growers and potential growers Nov. 8 in Stillwater.

He said the seminar will begin at 9 a.m. and finish at 3 p.m. on campus in Ag Hall, Room 014.

Some of the topics to be discussed include the history of the industry, species selection, site preparation, planting and spacing, early care, site maintenance, irrigation, pests and pesticide applications, shearing, coloring, sales management, marketing, liability and insurance and record keeping.

“Obviously, we can’t cover all topics in detail but I do plan to introduce each of these topics to attendees,” said McKinley.

To register for the seminar or to obtain further information, call McKinley at 405-744-8065.

Matt reviews information from the OSU Extension Service on growing Christmas trees. He put in his first crop of seedling trees in 2004 and became active in the Oklahoma Christmas Tree Association. Matt now serves as vice president of the association.

10 • Oklahoma Country • Fall 2008

County countryside about five years ago after living in urban Fort Smith for about seven years.

“We decided to move to the country. It’s better for the boys to grow up in the country,” he said.

The Jarvis family always had real Christmas trees for the holidays, and when Matt noticed an announcement for a meeting of the state tree association he decided to attend.

After attending the meeting, he remembers that “we decided to go ahead and try it.”

The family put in its first trees in February 2004. Their bareroot, 6- to 8-inch-tall Virginia and Scotch Pines were purchased from the Oklahoma Forestry Department nursery near Golsby. Leyland Cypress trees now in the lot are purchased in containers from a grower near Little Rock, Ark. Gophers almost doomed that first planting, gobbling up the trees from their underground burrows and forcing Matt to become a trapper to save his trees.

“I learned real quick how to trap gophers,” he remembers.

Admitting that “we didn’t know anything about it,” Matt and his family learned quickly by trial and error plus lots of reading OCTA manuals, visiting with other growers and attending Oklahoma State University seminars.

One thing Matt learned was to abandon the Scotch Pines. They take about eight years to mature, while the Virginia Pines and Leyland Cypress are ready to harvest in four or five years.

The two-acre tree plot is a family affair. Matt does most of the shearing of the trees with a saje – a motorized, backpack tool with a 6- to 7-foot-long bar used to shape and mold them into perfect Christmas trees. Trees are sheared twice a year – the end of May and early August – but if it’s really wet they’ll also get a “half shear” to keep them in shape.

Everyone pitches in to help plant new trees and work during the holiday season, and the boys keep the plot mowed. “The boys are a lot

Bottom: Evergreen Acres Tree Farm, located outside of Muldrow, has about two acres of pine and cypress trees planted. As many as 250 trees are expected to be harvested this Christmas season.

Matt and Julie pose in front of the building that serves as their holiday office. They also sell tree stands, wreaths, decorations and candles made by Matt’s mother.

Shoppers also are treated to free hot chocolate and apple cider while all children receive free candy canes.

Oklahoma Country • Fall 2008 • 11

IF YOU AND YOUR FAMILY PLAN to visit a Christmas tree farm to select your holiday tree, the Oklahoma Christmas Tree Association (OCTA) and the National Christmas Tree Association offer these hints for selecting your tree.

• Measure the ceiling height in the room where the tree will be displayed. Trees in a field tend to look small when the sky is the ceiling.

• Measure the width of the area of the room where the tree will be displayed. Many trees on tree farms are trimmed to an 80 percent taper, so a tree that’s 10 feet tall could be 8 feet wide at the bottom.

• Consider the decorating theme you plan to use. Some species have more open foliage, stiffer branches or longer needles. Research the characteristics of the different species on sites like realchristmastrees.org.

• Find a farm near you that has the species you’re looking for.

When you get your new tree home, follow these tips: • Place your tree in a bucket of water or your tree stand when you arrive home. If you purchase your tree from a retail lot, make a fresh, straight cut across the trunk about an inch up from the original cut before placing it in water. Never let the container holding your tree dry out or a seal will form and a new cut will be necessary. Fresh trees are thirsty and may drink from a pint to a gallon or more of water each day, so water daily.

• Don’t add anything to the tree’s water. Research has shown that plain tap water is by far the best. Some additives and home concoctions can actually be detrimental to a tree’s moisture retention and increase needle loss.

• Keep the tree well away from heat registers, space heaters, fireplaces, wood stoves, televisions, computer monitors and other heat sources. These will speed up evaporation and moisture loss of the tree.

“A real tree will burn, but no more than anything else,” said OCTA Vice President Matt Jarvis. “We stress to keep them watered, and there won’t be any problems. A fresh tree will stay fresh through Christmas, but if they run out of water they will dry out.”

Matt stands next to a Leyland Cypress tree that likely will find its way into someone’s home for Christmas 2008.

12 • Oklahoma Country • Fall 2008

of help,” says Matt. “That’s the main reason we’re doing this, the boys. I wanted the boys to know how to work.

“We plant in February and March. When the grass starts growing you need to keep up with mowing and spraying. That time is really busy, but for the most part growing trees is not an everyday job.”

The area generally receives ample rainfall so they don’t irrigate, and the fertile soil has yet to require any fertilizer. But there are herbicides and pesticides that must be applied; however, Matt has a bunch of freerange chickens that help keep pesticide applications to a minimum.

“They grow pretty fast,” said Matt, “about a foot per year. You don’t want them to grow too fast, so you have to restrict the top growth and shape them. They just don’t grow on their own. I wish it was that easy.”

But, he is quick to add that “it’s relaxing to get out there after sitting all day in front of a computer.”

One of the last chores he’ll do before the Christmas season is to spray the pines with a green pigment in late September or early October. The pines naturally begin to turn a bit yellow as fall approaches, and the pigment keeps the trees at their natural deep green color.

When the Christmas season gets close, Matt and his family will measure each tree and affix a price tag. Trees sell for $6 per foot when customers come calling.

They open their Evergreen Acres Christmas Tree Farm two weekends prior to Thanksgiving for pre-tagging. That allows customers to come and select their tree, pay for it and continue with their other holiday activities.

The lot then opens on weekends from Nov. 23 to Dec. 23 plus corresponding Friday afternoons. Friday hours are between 1 and 6 p.m. It is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and from 1 to 6 p.m. Sundays.

“It is,” says Matt, “a choose and cut farm that provides your family with the experience of visiting a Christmas tree farm and selecting your own tree.”

“Families like the experience of going to cut a tree,” says Julie. “It was exciting to open last year. A lot of families and a lot of kids came out. We knew a lot of the people that came out and a lot of our friends came out.

“It was,” she said, “a nice surprise. The word is getting around.”

“You can go anywhere and get a tree,” agrees Matt. “But you can

Pine and cypress trees of varying sizes stretch in straight lines on Evergreen Acres Tree Farm near Muldrow.

About 250 trees at the “choose and cut” operation will be available this holiday season.

Matt makes sure this Christmas-tree-to-be is secured to a stake, assuring the tree will grow straight and be someone’s pick of the lot in a few years.

Oklahoma Country • Fall 2008 • 13

WANT A FRESH, OKLAHOMA-GROWN CHRISTMAS TREE? The following farms are the members of the Oklahoma Christmas Tree Association. They offer you and your family the opportunity for a holiday outing and a freshly-cut tree for your home.

The farms, their location and telephone contacts for information are: • All Pine Products, Yukon, 405-324-1010.

• CAL2HOMA Christmas Tree Farm, Gore, 918-489-2876.

• Canadian Valley Tree Farm, Lexington, 405-872-8255.

• 7 C’s Christmas Trees, Mounds, 918-366-3330.

• Coffee Creek Christmas Tree Farm, Arcadia, 405-396-2282.

• D&H Christmas Tree and Wreaths, Fletcher, 580-549-6994.

• Evergreen Acres Christmas Tree Farm, Muldrow, 918-427-5931.

• Forest Ridge Christmas Tree Farm, Broken Arrow, 918-266-6001.

• Four Daughters Tree Farm, Norman, 405-329-7152.

• Goddard Tree Farm, Norman, 405-364-0320.

• Grandpa’s Christmas Tree Farm, Claremore, 918-341-6034.

• Hideaway Christmas Tree Farm, Bristow, 918-352-2162.

• Holiday Valley Farm, Perry, 580-336-2350.

• JANDA Bend Christmas Tree Farm, Stilwell, 918-458-0834.

• Martinbird Tree Farm, Tuttle, 405-381-2910.

• Owasso Christmas Tree and Berry Farm, Owasso, 918-272-9445.

• Pleasant Valley Farms, Sand Springs, 918-248-5647.

• Red Barn Christmas Tree Farm, McAlester, 918-548-3347.

• Rose Rock Enterprises, Norman, 405-321-1863.

• Sandy Hills Christmas Tree Farm, Blair, 580-563-2017.

• Santa’s Forest, Ponca City, 580-765-9441.

• Sorghum Mill Christmas Tree Farm, Edmond, 405-340-5488.

• The Christmas Tree Farm, Purcell, 405-527-5873.

• Double T Christmas Tree Farm, Glencoe, 918-454-2252.

• W6 Pines Christmas Tree Farm, Choctaw, 405-390-8635.

• White’s Christmas Tree Farm, Noble, 405-364-6751.

• Woodland Tree Farm, Skiatook, 918-396-0215.

Matt and Julie have had many signs like this one manufactured in anticipation of this year’s Christmas season. They plan on advertising more this year, which is their second to harvest trees.

14 • Oklahoma Country • Fall 2008

come out here and get a fresh tree and be doing something the family can do together. People enjoy it.”

Many of their customers last year came from Fort Smith, Sallisaw and Roland, but the bulk came from nearby Muldrow.

Evergreen Acres allows customers to cut their own trees, or a member of the Jarvis family will gladly wield the saw. Each tree goes on a mechanized shaker to rid it of any loose needles and dust before being baled in a protective mess wrap for transportation. They even provide a tie-down for the trunk if the buyer comes in a car.

“A trunk can hold a 6-foot tree,” said Matt. “You don’t have to have a big truck or SUV.” “It’s a tradition,” says Julie of the family outing to select a tree. “It’s a family trip. Families seem to like the experience of going to cut a tree.”

Naturally, Matt implores everyone to put up a real tree at Christmas

instead of an artificial one. His motives aren’t entirely selfish.

The bulk of the artificial trees come from Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong or China and are made of plastics and metals that aren’t biodegradable.

When disposed of – and everyone eventually will have to dispose of their artificial trees – they will never deteriorate, with effects on the environment remaining for generations.

“Those fake trees are made of petroleum products and have a high lead content,” said Matt. “I try to encourage everyone to put up a real tree.”

He also takes issue with the many video stories airing during the Christmas season about the extreme fire dangers of real trees. They will burn, but so will an artificial tree. Many artificial varieties emit These pines were sheared to the ideal shape for a Christmas tree in August, and still exhibited a few brown tips as a result of their shaping. The brown tips were completely gone by mid September.

dangerous toxins in a fire.

“A real tree will burn, but no more than anything else. We stress to keep them watered and there won’t be any problems. A fresh tree will,” declared Matt, “stay fresh through Christmas if they keep them watered.”

Matt said a tree obtained at nearby “choose and cut” farm is better than other real trees purchased at stores or lots.

Most of those trees come from big farms in Oregon, Michigan or North Carolina and are cut two to four weeks before finding a retail home, and have never been in water after harvest.

“If you have a choice, cut a fresh tree,” he concluded. “They last the longest. Those that have been cut for up to a month give people a bad impression.”

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16 • Oklahoma Country • Fall 2008

Oklahoma Country • Fall 2008 • 17

All Around

Oklahoma

Flatbed owners get insurance premium break klahoma Farm Bureau Insurance now offers a money-saving break on pickups and trucks by exempting the premium for the first $4,000 of coverage for flatbeds that are listed as additional equipment.

“The change is for both new business and existing policies,” said Jeff Gaughan, vice president of underwriting for the largest Oklahoma-based property and casualty insurance company. “It will be a nice break.”

Gaughan said he believes Oklahoma Farm Bureau Insurance is the only company in the state to offer this policy feature.

“The first $4,000 of coverage on the flatbed will be provided at no premium charge,” he explained. “The premium charge will only apply to any amount in excess of that

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amount, and would be rated at the standard additional equipment rate.

“Any premium amount showing on the policy declaration page will only be for the amount over $4,000,” he added.

Gaughan said Farm Bureau has over 3,200 policies in force with flatbeds listed as additional equipment.

All members of the statewide Farm Bureau Insurance agency force

have been notified of the change and will be reviewing their members’ policies to make adjustments for those that qualify for the allowance.

Policyholders also can contact their agent for information.

“Insureds should list the flatbeds as additional equipment if they are not already listed,” Gaughan said.

Toolboxes, feeders, hoists, bale spikes or other additional accessories that have been added to flatbeds need to be listed separately and are not included in the premium exemption.

Oklahoma Farm Bureau Insurance clients who have flatbeds on their tucks now receive a money-saving break on their policies. The first $4,000 on those vehicles listed as additional equipment is excluded and will be provided at no premium charge. The change came as a result of delegates to the Oklahoma Farm Bureau convention asking the insurance company to exclude flatbeds as additional equipment on trucks and pickups.

Matt,

Representative lauds Claims response to storm damages Editor’s Note: The unsolicited letter at right was sent to Oklahoma Farm Bureau Executive Director Matt Wilson Aug. 18.

The letter’s author is the Minority Leader of the Oklahoma House of Representatives Danny Morgan, who represents district 32.

Danny Morgan

18 • Oklahoma Country • Fall 2008

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