Christmas Tree Farm Fosters Family Tradition

Shawn Uptergrove and his wife Jodie have given families an opportunity to make memories at their Concho Christmas Tree Farm  for the past three years. 

The farm was first started by David and Amy Scott in 2002. 

After being put on the market in 2011, Shawn Uptergrove said, “There was a chance that the potential buyers weren’t going to keep it as a Christmas tree farm.” 

“We saw it as an opportunity as keeping this little West Texas tradition alive,” Uptergrove said. 

The farm includes a wreath shop, gift store and rows of growing trees--about 1500 of them. 

Uptergrove said it takes six years for the Afghan Pines to grow to their full Christmas tree potential at six to eight feet tall. 

He said “That’s really the only pine tree you can grow in West Texas with any success  because of our drought and soil type.”

“But besides the ones you can choose and cut we also bring in Fraser Fir trees,” Uptergrove said. The Fraser Firs come from another family tree farm in North Carolina.

“It gives people a choice of what type of tree they want,” he said. 

Wanda Guren and her family have made the farm part of their Christmas traditions. Guren, her husband, and their two sons have learned how to pick their tree. 

“The first year we came out here and picked a 23 foot high tree. We drive a Scion--it was so ridiculous people were taking pictures of us as we drove back to San Angelo with the tree tied on top of the car. We had to cut a third of it off so that it would fit inside the house,” Guren said. 

This year they were looking for a full tree, that they could reach to touch the top. 

Uptergrove said the farm is “one in a few on this side of Texas.” 

During the off season, the gift store operates as a bed and breakfast. 

“It gives people an opportunity to get away from the stress of city life. You can be out here and sit on the porch and see the stars and its quiet,” Uptergrove said. 

The Concho Christmas Tree Farm is located in Christoval and will be open until December 23rd. Their hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Sunday from 2 p.m to 6:30 p.m  For more information on the farm and the bed and breakfast visit conchochristmastreefarm.com.