Family-owned Country Christmas Tree Farm offers opportunity for holiday traditions old and new

For many, procuring your own Christmas tree is a treasured holiday tradition. One local family-owned Christmas tree farm is working to make those precious memories even more special.

Country Christmas Tree Farm & Gifts in Greenwood began in 1998 when owners Ed and Theresa Shephard began planting trees as a way to generate additional income to help lessen the burden of college costs for their daughters Bethany, 34, and Andrea, 31. By 2006 the trees were mature and Country Christmas Tree Farms & Gifts opened its doors for business. 

“We appreciate people’s business and them continuing to come back here,” Theresa Shephard says. “We try to always stay quaint, we want that family atmosphere and make sure that they’re having a good time.”

Operating off the 20-acre property which includes the family’s home, the tree farm encompasses roughly 15 acres of the land. A variety of trees such as Blue Spruce or Norway Spruce are grown, as well as more kid-friendly options such as Fraser Fir or Scotch Pine. 

“The spruce trees tend to be stronger and can hold more ornaments, while fir trees are softer,” Ed Shephard says. 

Decorations including grave blankets, Birch reindeer figurines, and fresh wreaths are available in the gift shop which also features a variety of products from Michigan vendors such as maple syrup and preserves.

Customers have the opportunity to choose and cut down their own trees, but pre-cut trees options are also available. Once a tree has been selected, tree shaking, drilling, wrapping, and loading are offered free of charge. 

A concession stand is available for anyone who may be feeling peckish. Featured offerings include cider and fresh donuts made daily by McCallum’s Orchard & Cider Mill in Jeddo and fried bologna sandwiches from C. Roy’s in Yale. Seating is available around a bonfire and children can burn off any excess energy, or sugar, on the nearby playscape. 

A complimentary popcorn ball and hot cocoa or coffee are available for customers, as well as a holiday photo. There’s no need to leave any family members out of the photo as pets are welcome at the tree farm.  

In addition to running the tree farm, Theresa works as a registered nurse and Ed manages his own company, Solid Rock Custom Homes. They say it’s a lot of work, but believe it’s a fun business and often finds ways to involve the community and give back.

“We look at it as part of our ministry in the sense that we believe Christmas isn’t necessarily about Santa Claus,” Ed Shephard says. “We try to give a lot to the food bank each year and we just think it’s a nice family outing. There’s not much around anymore that families can go do together and make it a tradition.”

This year, Country Christmas Tree Farm & Gifts will open its doors for the season on Saturday, Nov. 20. The business will be open Friday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Sunday, Dec. 19. 

For questions about services or more information about Country Christmas Tree Farm & Gifts, visit countrychristmastreefarm.com or facebook.com/CountryChristmasTree.