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Christmas Tree Farm Video

Trees on farms would not be planted if families were not buying real Christmas trees.

Check out this video recently shot on location at Severt’s Christmas Tree Farm.

Artificial Vs. Real

Ann Marie Ballou

Mrs. Rivers English 3

22 November 2011

Just a few decades ago, there was only one option for what type of tree you would display for the holidays. That was a real Fraser Fir or Pine tree.  This all changed when the artificial tree was created (Brown). While there are pros and cons of both types of trees, people should be buying real Christmas trees instead of artificial. This is because of the damage artificial trees have on Christmas tree growers.

            A lot of people believe that artificial trees are the better choice for Christmas because they are less expensive than real trees. They also think they are the better choice because they are more convenient. Artificial trees do not leave pine needles all over the floor, they do not need watering, and transportation from a tree farm or tree lot to the home is not necessary. People also believe that artificial trees have a better environmental impact (Brown). But what they do not know is that artificial trees are more harmful to the environment than real trees. Artificial trees are manufactured with polyvinyl chloride (PVC), metal, and lead. They are also non-recyclable and non-biodegradable (Brown). Artificial trees are dumped into landfills and contaminate the air we breathe (Taylor). This information should make people reconsider their belief in which tree is more eco-friendly.

            While artificial trees are harmful to the environment, real Christmas trees are not. Each acre of trees planted produces enough oxygen for the daily needs of eighteen people. 93% of thirty-three million trees are recycled each year. Every tree is “tree-cycled”, or returned to a renewable and natural source back to the environment instead of being disposed in a landfill. Christmas trees are recycled into mulch for landscaping and gardening, or chipped and used for playground material, hiking trails, paths, and walkways.

            Fifty years ago there was nothing known as state associations, but today they are in just about every state. State and regional Christmas tree associations have to band together and fight the selling of artificial trees (Wright). There are many Christmas tree growers in Ashe County, North Carolina who could not imagine their lives without trees, but if we do not put an end to artificial trees, this event could potentially happen. All of the tree growers would have no businesses to run, a lot of people would be out of jobs, and it would be a disaster. Christmas trees create more than 100,000 American jobs (Taylor). Growers do all they possibly can to produce the best trees in the business and deliver them fresh and on time to the consumers. They work all year long maintaining the Christmas trees people buy at lots or in shopping stores. First they have to prepare the land that they are going to use to plant the seeds. Then they have to plant in mid-February, which is not an easy job. Before planting the seeds, tree growers have to pull and destroy weeds and anything else that will harm trees. After the trees have grown some, they need to be sprayed with pesticides. Christmas tree workers have to shape and shear the trees constantly to maintain their look. When the Christmas trees have reached a certain age and size, they are cut down, sent to the warehouse, drilled, and shipped off to Christmas tree lots. Growing one Christmas tree takes 6-12 years (Artificial Trees). Has all the effort and time Christmas tree growers have put into this process gone to waste?

            Christmas trees spread rapidly throughout the world. Today some form of Christmas tree is part of every Christmas celebration (Myers). But what kind of tree is part of your Christmas celebrations; and eco-friendly Fraser Fir or a harmful artificial tree?

Resources:

Artificial Trees, “The Process of Growing a Real Christmas Tree.” Accessed November 21, 2011. http://www.artificialtrees.com/Process-Growing-Real-Christmas-Tree.htm.

Brown, Lori. Earth 911, “Real vs. Artificial Christmas Trees.” Last Modified November 29, 2010. Accessed November 16, 2011. http://earth911.com/news/2010/11/29/real-vs-artificial-christmas-trees/.

Myers, Robert J, Ed. The World Book Encyclopedia. Chicago: World Book, Inc, 2003. S.V.Christmas Celebration

Taylor, Sherrie. Severt’s Tree Farm, “Real vs. Fake”, Last Modified N.D. Accessed November 16, 2011. http://www.severtstreefarm.com/christmas-trees/real-vs-fake-debate-is-over.

Wright, Chuck “As I See It” Vol.38 (2011) Page. 32

You better watch out… Santa Claus is watching you

 Someone is trying to be sneaky and take the ornament he took off the tree to his hiding place where he hides all the pens !  Nothing like a REAL TREE

Christmas is Here

Many Christmas tree shoppers pine for the aroma of a fresh-cut Fraser fir tree to bring home and decorate for the holidays. Joe Seelig posted a great article on the Highlands Today website.

Christmas is here, fresh cut.

It’s All in the Family

My cousin Aly and I decorated 50+ wreaths today that will go out to the lots all over north Florida!

-Loretta

Newest Trucker for Severts delivering Christmas Trees to Florida

Christmas Trees are rolling down I-95 every day.  We are literally harvesting our Fraser Firs during the day and loading the trucks in the evening.  You can’t hardly get a tree any fresher than that!  Just remember, for every Christmas Tree harvested this season, two will be planted back next spring.   Picture of Mike’s great grandson, Troy  (fourth generation of Christmas Tree farmers).

Great Indication for a Great Season for Christmas Trees and Wreaths

Fresh Fraser Fir Wreath

As of today (Thursday, October 27) we will only be accepting new wreath orders that can be picked-up or delivered after November 29.  The Lord has blessed us with a good number of new orders this year.  Due to the  increase,  we want to grow slowly and give you a quality wreath and fulfill all orders in a timely manner.  If you would like to order our Fraser Fir wreaths, we will take orders from those who would like to have their wreaths after November 29.   Please feel free to email us at stf@severtstreefarm.com .  It’s a great indication that it’s going to be a busy season!

UPDATE: Wholesale Order Deadline is October 31

When you are surrounded by real Christmas trees year round (like myself), it is not unusual to think about Christmas year round.  It may not be time for you as a consumer to think about going out and looking for that perfect fraser fir and rightly so.  But it is time for your local produce stand, grocery store, garden center and retail Christmas tree lot owner to start planning and make arrangement so you will have a great selection of real Christmas trees to choose from.   We will be taking orders for our Fraser Firs, White Pine and Grand Firs through the month of October.  Severt’s will accept wholesale orders for Christmas wreaths and garland through  November 5.  Feel free to give us a call at (276) 655-3969.

What does a Fraser Fir have in common with Meetings?

For the last few years, the Christmas Tree Industry has been very competitive. But, I believe that if you strive to have a good quality product and good customer service—you will stay in business.
Carlos has worked very hard this year on the quality of our trees. He’s doing his part, and this is where I can contribute:

APPRECIATION
More and more I am learning how blessed we are to have customers so easy to work with for so many years. Thank you for sticking with us.

SEIZE THE OPPROTUNITY
The main purpose of attending a tradeshow is to sell, but it is also a great opportunity to ask your customers and attendees a lot of questions and see what works for them. What kind of wreaths are selling?   What new decorating  ideas are out there?   It also gives me a chance to hear about the issues that you, the RETAILER faces. We were able to meet up with some great people at the PANTS Show this year and able to show off our Fraser Firs.

MEETINGS, MEETINGS AND MORE MEETINGS
I look forward to our Christmas Tree meetings. We were fortunate to be able to attend the Virginia Christmas Tree Growers Association’s Annual meeting and the National Christmas Tree Associations Annual meeting this year in Ohio. It’s a great way to for tree growers to work together to keep our industry alive and going. Yes, we all want to sell trees. But we also want to promote our trees nationally. We want to get the message out to the general public on the great benefits of having a REAL Christmas Tree. I want to see the Christmas Tree Industry grow and the Associations have given me the motivation and tools to make me feel like we can make a difference. Real trees make sense!

…and the tagging begins

I hope you all had a good 4th of July and your retail sales have been great this year. I know our friends in the northern states have been experiencing some rain which has made it challenging for sales. Overall, Carlos and I have heard good reports. Carlos has started his first round of tree tagging this week so the guys can start shearing. Make your plans soon, Christmas Times A Coming. Now is a great time to give us a call to discuss your Christmas tree order for the upcoming season.

Free and Independent

A few days ago I googled the words “Independence Day”. Of course, it brought me back to one of the greatest documents ever composed, “The United States Declaration of Independence”. We are free and independent. We have the ability to make choices and take action on what we believe. As a citizen of the United States, if I don’t like the way something is being handled I have the ability to let my voice be heard. This is something I need to practice more of (but my husband says not just at home) lol. So, as we take a small and much needed break from the Christmas Tree fields, we will pause and celebrate our freedom and independence. We also want to thank all of those who have fought and continue to fight to protect what our founding fathers sacrificed to create.

Christmas Trees and Turkey Eggs?

Severt’s Tree Farm, NC.

I know that Summer is the time we think about cookouts, beach trips, yard sales and ice cream. But Christmas Trees are a large part of my day to day life. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t see a Christmas Tree, they are in my back yard. About two weeks ago, the guys brought to my attention a small nest that had 3 turkey eggs located under one of our Fraser Fir Christmas Trees. I have watched the nest grow from 3 eggs, to 5, to 8 and now 12 eggs. This is not an uncommon occurrence for those of us who raise Real Christmas Trees – we just do not always mention it. Many growers can walk up on a baby deer that has nestled in some tall grass in the tree field and rabbits – there are always rabbits hopping around. So, remember when you are looking for that perfect Christmas Tree this winter, you are giving back to our wildlife. For every Christmas Tree sold, three are planted the next Spring.

Newest Addition to Severt’s Tree Farm

We are happy to announce the birth of our first Grandson, Troy Freeman Anderson. Proud parents are Dustin and Emily Anderson (and very proud Aunt – Ann Marie). Troy was 8 pounds 12 ounces, born February 17, 2011. We’ve got a great start on our fourth generation of Christmas Tree Farmers. Carlos has already bought him his first Husqvarna Saw!

Attending Tradeshows: A Refreshing Change

November and December was a busy time for Severts Tree Farm.  After the trees are cut , numbers are tallied, presents are purchased a week before Christmas – we look forward to a change in January.  It is the best time to find out how our customers did this season.  We had a great time at the tradeshows in January.  We started out with MANTS 2011 – the “Masterpiece of Trade Shows”, held January 5-7.  It was our first time attending the show in Baltimore, Maryland.  There was a total of 10,432 registered attendees and 969 exhibiting companies with 1,530 booths. The buyers in attendance represented 3,298 different companies.  Next on our list was the CENTS Show January 25-27 in Columbus, Ohio.  I was very impressed to learn that Ohio is a big horticultural state.  I found it was a great place for networking and marketing.  Met alot of great people in the industry.  We finished up at the Mid-States Horticultural Expo, held in Louisville, Kentucky, January 28 – 29.

Since we have just started attending shows (in 2010);  it was very exciting to see familiar faces and meet up with some of our customers.  I love to ask how their Christmas tree sales were in 2010 along with getting feedback about what sizes sold well, what wreaths were hot.  It gives me great ideas for the 2011 season.  And for the record, our customers said they did better in 2010 than the previous year.  It might be a small increase in numbers, but I will take it.

 Our next scheduled tradeshow is The Penn Atlantic Nursery Trade Show August 2-4.  I’m very excited about incorporating new wreath ideas into our double-booth this year.

Trees For Troops Weekend this Friday-Monday at all of our Severt Christmas Tree Lots

Family at the MacDill AFB

This Friday through Monday is our designated “Trees for Troops” weekend at all of our retail tree lot locations.  We also have two Fed-Ex trailers located at the 1220 Beach Blvd. Jacksonville, FL tree lot and the 11 Ardisia Lane, St. Johns, FL (Julinton Creek area) tree lot that will deliver the Trees for Troops Christmas trees to the MacDill Air Force Base located in Tampa, FL. Please go by any of our  tree lots and purchase a Christmas tree or make any kind of monetary donation.  You may also write a personal note to go on a special tag that will be put on each tree.  All donations are tax deductable. With every tree donated, Severt’s Tree Farm will donate $5 towards each tree.  Our goal is 200.  Please call our main office at (904) 384-8034 if you or your business would like to make a monetary donation by phone or mail. What a great way to show our appreciation to the men and women and their families who serve our country!  Visit us on Facebook to show you supported T4T.

Severts Christmas Tree Lots Are Opened For Business in Florida

Great news to share! All of our retail locations are now open. We are open 7 days a week from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Please note that our Dunn Avenue, Jacksonville lot has moved and is now located at 790 Skymarks Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32218. Our Maitland lot has moved to 311 Semoran Blvd., Apopka, FL 32703. If you have any questions, please call us at our central office at (904) 384-8034. Our trees are being harvested fresh daily from our North Carolina and Virginia farms. Can’t wait to see all of our loyal customers.

It’s not too late! But Christmas is Fast Approaching

Yes, Christmas time is fastly approaching, but you still have time to place your wholesale order for the 2010 Holiday Season. We have Fraser Fir Christmas trees available from table top sizes up to the astonishing 12 ft. giants. We also have the Blue Spruce, Scotch Pine and White Pine available to give your customers a nice variety. Severt’s offers a large variety of Christmas wreaths to compliment your tree order. We make all of our wreaths daily at our warehouse to ensure freshness. Our Traditional Fraser Fir wreath is very full and not your traditional perfect “cookie cut shape”. We have added a beautiful Cross (available in two different sizes) along with the new Fraser Fir and Boxwood Mix Wreath and Fraser Fir Straights for window sills and mantles. Please see our complete list under our Wreaths & Garland webpage. Don’t forget to add a few 30′ ropes of freshly made garland. Christmas trees and wreaths can be that extra income your business has been looking for to coast you through after a busy summer . Who doesn’t love to smell the fresh pine scent of a live Christmas tree! If this is your first year, we will be happy to advise you on ways to have a profitable, successful season. We have the capability to sell you a pick-up truck load of Christmas trees or full-semi loads. Just remember, Real Trees Make Sense!

Sincerely,

Sherrie Severt Taylor
Severt’s Tree Farm

Severt’s Christmas Tree Farm – Trees for Troops

Severt’s Tree Farm is proud to support Trees for Troops, a program of the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation and FedEx. Since 2005, the Trees for Troops program has delivered 65,000 Real Christmas Trees to military families across the nation and around the world. As a Trees for Troops Weekend participant, Severt’s Tree Farm and its customers have donated more than 400 trees to the program since 2008

NCTA Convention Experience by Ann Marie

My name is Ann Marie and I’m fifteen years old. I have grown up around Christmas Trees throughout my whole life. My Mamaw and Papaw are owners of Severt’s Tree Farm, and my mother and step-father are the managers of Severt’s Tree Farm. Therefore, I have been around Christmas Trees since I was little.

On August 12, 2010 and August 13, 2010 I attended the NCTA Annual Convention in Winston Salem, North Carolina. I was excused from school for these two days as an educational trip. My main reason in going to the NCTA Annual Convention was to hear my Papaw speak in the “Retail Lots 101” breakout session. He was on the panel and talked about the retail end of our business. But I was in for a lot more than I originally came for, which wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Growing up with mom always upstairs working and my step-dad out in the field, I always thought that they were the only ones in the Christmas tree deal. But when I attended the Convention, I learned that they weren’t alone. I saw a lot of families who work year round in Christmas trees, who sacrifice a lot. Working with Christmas trees isn’t always fun and games. Actually most of the time, it’s not that fun.

When I was at the NCTA Annual Convention, I sat in on various breakout sessions. I heard a lot about retail lots, having business plans, and “renting” Christmas trees. It was very interesting to sit in on these sessions and hearing all about what comes along with working in the Christmas tree business, and hearing about what other people do to keep their business going. It wasn’t as boring as I thought, and I learned a lot.

My experience at the NCTA Annual Convention was surprisingly good, and I’d have to say that I can’t wait to go to another one. I am actually looking forward to going again. I do not plan on being in the Christmas
tree business but I would like to learn more about the whole process. Who knows, I may end up carrying on the tradition. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

By: Ann Marie

Severts Fraser Fir Christmas Trees at Pant Show 2010

It was on a Sunday afternoon when we left “our” Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia and were Pennsylvania bound. The anticipation and excitement of attending our first trade show as an exhibitor was at hand. Being a newbie (as an exhibitor), I had been told that the Penn Atlantic Trade Show was a great show for us to attend.

I will get straight to the point. Of course, we headed to the PANTS2010 Show to gain some new business, but we also wanted to learn more about garden centers and landscaping companies. I wanted to actually ask questions about what your local garden center is looking for when it comes to choosing a Christmas Tree Supplier.

What kind of Christmas tree does your customer like?
What kind of wreaths and garland do you offer?

My goal is not to be the largest supplier of Christmas Trees on the block, but to have wholesale customers who want to do business with us because we offer a quality Christmas tree and we have good customer service that makes you look forward to doing business with us each year. The red door with a fresh fraser fir wreath was a hit. We were right across from Mr. and Mrs. Lowry from Lowry & Company located in Maryland. It was amazing to see how well he was respected and treated by his customers. His booth was always full of friends coming to visit. We met many people that were so nice and helpful like Larry and Donna from Gibsonia who showed me new ways to decorate wreaths. After speaking with a lot of potential customers and getting new ideas, I am happy to say that I have just completed a new and updated Wholesale Wreath Pricelist that I believe everyone will be excited to see. We left PANTS2010 very encouraged and I am looking forward to providing our new customers north of the Grayson County, Virginia line with Severt’s Christmas Trees and Wreaths.

-Fraser Fir Girl