CHRISTOVAL, TX - The Concho Christmas Tree Farm (CCTF), 22310 Toenail Trail, is officially open for business. Families looking for the perfect Christmas tree and/or gifts this holiday season can do so while experiencing the joy of tradition.
Shawn Uptergrove and his wife, Jodie, manage and own the CCTF. Shawn explained that he is everything from the tractor driver to the manager, and everything in-between.
With West Texas witnessing warmer weather this year, Shawn said his family members are just getting started for the season and will enjoy the cold front blowing through today. Despite the warmer weather, however, Shawn noted that the CCTF has been blessed with a nice wet year, compared to years in the past.
Not only does the farm grow and sell Christmas trees, but students from local schools get to take field trips to the farm during the weeks of November and December. Shawn estimated that around 1,000 students come to his farm in a four-week period.
This is the Uptergrove’s sixth year owning the farm and growing the Christmas trees. Previous owners of the farm began growing the trees 15 years ago.
Shawn said, “We feel real honored to keep this West Texas tradition going. It’s kind of unique for these parts to have a Christmas tree farm.”
Each year, Shawn plants 200 seedlings. He explained that “roughly 100 or so [trees] are cut in the field every year. But it is a five-year process to get those seedlings up to size where we want them. You always have to plant trees every year so they can come up in different stages.”
Potted Christmas trees are also for sale at the CCTF. These trees can be used for the holidays and then planted after the Christmas season is gone, but they must remain watered to stay fresh.
Not only do the Uptergrove’s grow their own Christmas trees, they also bring in Frasier Fir trees from North Carolina.
“They are big, thick, heavy full and dense tree that we can’t grow in Texas. We bring these in to give people a choice of different trees,” Shawn said. The Frasiers will range anywhere from $56 and go up depending on the size.
He also explained that field trees are in limited supply at the CCTF. All field trees are available for cut down at $49.
In addition to the beautiful trees, families can still enjoy the tradition of shopping at the farm's gift shop full of unique, one-of-a-kind ornaments, gift items, and novelty items.
“Our main goal at the gift store is to make this a unique shop. We don’t want to carry the same old, same old,” Shawn explained.
Shawn concluded, “The main thing is, when we try to provide family with [trees], it’s not just about selling the Christmas tree. It is also about providing that old-fashioned, back-to-basics type of Christmas atmosphere. There is no rush here. This is not a shopping mall. We really enjoy it and encourage families to come out.”
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To get that family Christmas tree, enjoy a bit of holiday cheer, and find that unique Christmas gift, visit the Concho Christmas Tree Farm today. For more information about the farm and hours, contact (325)896-7575, visit the farm's Facebook page here, or visit www.conchochristmastreefarm.com. Also for a few of LIVE!'s previous stories on the CCTF, click here and here.
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