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History & Philosophy of Christmas Tree Farming
by Jerry McAbee
As a Christmas Tree grower, and one who thinks everyone should be as passionate about
the Fraser firChristmas Tree as I am, I want to share a little history and philosophy about
this tree and my business.
The Fraser fir was named for a Scottish Botanist, John Fraser. He explored the Southern Appalachian Mountainsof North Carolina in the late 1700's. The Fraser fir grows naturally only
in the Southern AppalachianMountains above 3,000 feet in elevation. The tree evolved in the cool temperatures and high rainfall.This is what allows the tree to keep its needles throughout
the Christmas season.
These trees are planted and grown on plantations and cultivated just as any other crop.
It takes an averageof seven to ten years to produce and deliver the best tree that nature
and nurture can provide.Some never make it as a Christmas tree; but they are utilized
for other important purposes; such as, habitat for baby fish in lakes and ponds, wreath
material, greenery, and even mulch for landscapes and gardens.While these trees are
growing, they consume huge amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. When they
do this, they give off huge amounts of oxygen in return.
Artificial trees, on the other hand, use valuable and non-renewable resources and produce tremendousamounts of carbon dioxide during their production process. The carbon footprint
is estimatedto be at least 20 times that of a Fraser fir and they are made in
China, Korea, and Taiwan.
Real trees provide wildlife habitat while they are growing: Wild Turkey, Rabbits, Foxes,
Quail, Deer,and Cougars are all found in and among Christmas Tree plantations.
These trees also stabilize the soiland protect mountain watersheds. They are recyclable,
renewable, and are replanted whenever one is cut.
As a full time tree farmer, I am constantly working to produce the finest tree that can
possiblybe grown. I do a lot of my own research to constantly try to improve the quality
of my trees and thatof the environment. I use a system of natural pest control methods
that utilizes appropriate growing techniques to reduce pests. This reduces the amount
of pesticides going into the atmosphere and saves money in the long run. Since good,
high quality land is becoming scarcer; I am very conscious of potentially soil depleting
practices, and take very precaution to avoid them. Soil is my primary resource;
without high quality soil, most efforts to grow the perfect tree would be futile.
My goal is to utilize and incorporate these natural growing techniques to provide my
customers with the best tree that can be grown at a competitive price and to follow up sales
with service that my customers deserve. After that, their success is my success.
Jerry McAbee
by Jerry McAbee
As a Christmas Tree grower, and one who thinks everyone should be as passionate about
the Fraser firChristmas Tree as I am, I want to share a little history and philosophy about
this tree and my business.
The Fraser fir was named for a Scottish Botanist, John Fraser. He explored the Southern Appalachian Mountainsof North Carolina in the late 1700's. The Fraser fir grows naturally only
in the Southern AppalachianMountains above 3,000 feet in elevation. The tree evolved in the cool temperatures and high rainfall.This is what allows the tree to keep its needles throughout
the Christmas season.
These trees are planted and grown on plantations and cultivated just as any other crop.
It takes an averageof seven to ten years to produce and deliver the best tree that nature
and nurture can provide.Some never make it as a Christmas tree; but they are utilized
for other important purposes; such as, habitat for baby fish in lakes and ponds, wreath
material, greenery, and even mulch for landscapes and gardens.While these trees are
growing, they consume huge amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. When they
do this, they give off huge amounts of oxygen in return.
Artificial trees, on the other hand, use valuable and non-renewable resources and produce tremendousamounts of carbon dioxide during their production process. The carbon footprint
is estimatedto be at least 20 times that of a Fraser fir and they are made in
China, Korea, and Taiwan.
Real trees provide wildlife habitat while they are growing: Wild Turkey, Rabbits, Foxes,
Quail, Deer,and Cougars are all found in and among Christmas Tree plantations.
These trees also stabilize the soiland protect mountain watersheds. They are recyclable,
renewable, and are replanted whenever one is cut.
As a full time tree farmer, I am constantly working to produce the finest tree that can
possiblybe grown. I do a lot of my own research to constantly try to improve the quality
of my trees and thatof the environment. I use a system of natural pest control methods
that utilizes appropriate growing techniques to reduce pests. This reduces the amount
of pesticides going into the atmosphere and saves money in the long run. Since good,
high quality land is becoming scarcer; I am very conscious of potentially soil depleting
practices, and take very precaution to avoid them. Soil is my primary resource;
without high quality soil, most efforts to grow the perfect tree would be futile.
My goal is to utilize and incorporate these natural growing techniques to provide my
customers with the best tree that can be grown at a competitive price and to follow up sales
with service that my customers deserve. After that, their success is my success.
Jerry McAbee
See Lake's planting video below. Very cool!
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Bear Valley Farm, LLC. 231 Bee Tree Rd Glenville, NC 28736 1-828-736-1405