Since 1971, Wilkerson Christmas Tree Farm has been offering some of the areas finest trees to the public every Christmas season. On a sprawling farm just off of Route 3 on Sam’s Branch Road in Griffithsville, you can find Larry Wilkerson and his family eagerly and excitedly getting ready for their busiest time of the year.
With a degree in biological science from Marshall University and having grown up on the farm that Wilkerson later inherited from his father, the journey to opening a Christmas tree farm was a natural progression of both Wilkerson’s education and location.
“We started many, many years ago, in the 1960s going into our woodland areas and cutting Virginia Pines and bringing them in and selling them. I guess all of this triggered together probably was the beginning of the Christmas tree farm.” says Wilkerson.
As the farm has grown since it’s humble beginnings so has the Wilkerson family. Wilkerson’s grandson, Landin Harper, has been helping with the business ever since he can remember and believe’s that the hard work and determination it takes to maintain a farm such as this was fundamental in his upbringing. As a husband and father of two, he is now able to share those same experiences with his own family.
“I would say I like it just because number one it's what I've always done. I have grown up enjoying it. My family has made it to where it has made me more independent and I'm a go-getter. So it has made me a better person,” Harper says in reflections. “I'm very nature oriented. It's great to just be outside and to just come out in these fields sometimes and just listen to nothing. That's that's the great thing about being here. It's peaceful. It's enjoyable.”
The Wilkerson’s have come a long way since the first 3,000 trees they planted in 1971. So much so that over the years they stopped counting and instead leave it to the customers to add it up when asked how many trees are on the property.
“I always offer to let them come out and count them if they really want to know,” Wilkerson says with a laugh. “But I'm going to estimate we probably have maybe between 15,000 to 18,000 trees of all different sizes.”
Spread across the farm there are five species of trees for customers to choose for purchase ranging from White and Scotch Pines to Canaan Valley Boston Furs. While the business itself is only open to the public a fraction of the year, the process to get there is a 365 day endeavor.
“We plant around 2,500 trees a spring and then as soon as that's finished we start mowing and shearing our trees. This is more than just a Christmas tree farm. We have a wooded area, so it's just really just keeping up with the farm in general and then in the fall and winter we get ready to sell. We’re making sure our fields are good and clean and safe for the customers. There’s a lot of working pieces that go on to operate this farm,” says Harper.
The Wilkerson’s understand that they play a large role in the holiday festivities and Christmas spirit for many families spread out across the region. However, as important as that responsibility is to them, it’s as equally important for them to be good stewards of the land and to care for a property that gives them so much.
“A lot of people think it's terrible that you're cutting down a tree, but they need to realize that these trees are grown as a crop. Just like cabbage, tomatoes and so forth,” Wilkerson states. “And when we cut a tree down it's replaced next spring by another tree. So you've got all this wonderful land open for wildlife.”
As if running the farm wasn’t already a large enough responsibility, the Wilkerson’s also use their platform as an opportunity to dispel any myths about Christmas trees.
“A fresh Christmas tree doesn't burn easily. A live tree is very difficult to burn and if you cut a tree and keep water in it and keep the container that the Christmas tree goes in with fresh water all the time, that tree isn't going to burn,” Wilkerson says confidently.
Wilkerson is no stranger to adapting to the times. Over the years the family has made changes to stay relevant with their consumer base such as opening a small Christmas store on their property that sells ornaments, wreaths, and a multitude of other festive decorations. In the case of 2020, preparing their property to help fight the spread of COVID-19 was important to them.
“When the customers come out this year they're going to find things a little different. We're putting in a walk-up window to our Christmas tree store and we're only going to let individual or family groups in at a time,” Wilkerson mentions. “We're going to have hand sanitation stations. We're also going to sanitize our saws. We offer small bow saws for people to use so those will be sanitized after each use. They'll still be able to come out and have a family opportunity. A choose and cut farm isn’t about the tree, it’s about the experience”
While the business itself may be a little different this year, both Wilkerson and Harper agree that the experience they offer is the same as it’s always been.
“I think the big experience I want for people to come out here is for the same experience as we have,” Harper exclaims. “To enjoy our farm, enjoy what we provide, enjoy nature and have just a great family experience and to just have fun.”
In all, Wilkerson and his family enjoy being able to help bring families closer together. To them the happiness they bring is worth all the hard and tireless work they put in during the year.
“We enjoy seeing the families come out and cut their tree,” Wilkerson smiles. “I’ve had so many people say that ‘This is our Christmas. We hope you never stop doing this.’ And I hear that over and over and over again during the season.”
Wilkerson Christmas Tree Farm opens to the public on November 28th. For more information about the farm visit them on Facebook at Wilkerson Christmas Tree Farm or call (304) 524-2362.
