Inside Christoval's Concho Christmas Tree Farm

Shawn and Jodie Uptergrove moved to Christoval 10 years ago with their two children, Kenzie and Kolsen. Previously, the couple attended Angelo State University and graduated in 1997 from the Department of Animal Science. They moved off and went to veterinarian school in College Station, but when the opportunity came for them to return to the San Angelo area, they couldn’t say no.

“We always loved the San Angelo area,” said Shawn. “San Angelo is kind of a big little town.”

Shawn added that he and his wife always liked Christoval as well, so it made sense to move there. Shawn is a realtor in Christoval, and Jodie, a veterinarian. Additionally, about 5 years ago, the couple took on an endeavor they never planned to—an endeavor of carrying on a longstanding Christmas tradition.

Carrying on the Tradition

About 12 years ago, David and Amy Scott started the Concho Christmas Tree Farm at 22310 Toenail Trail in Christoval. The farm was their vision. They took 10 acres of raw land and pasture and added the infrastructure necessary to run a Christmas tree farm in West Texas. They also built most of the buildings that sit on the property.

When word got around that the Scotts planned on selling the Tree Farm, people took interest.

“Other folks were interested in it, but they had no plans of continuing it as a tree farm,” Shawn explained. “Some wanted it just as a residence.”

Although the Uptergroves were living in the Christoval area and weren’t looking for another house, they knew what the Tree Farm meant to local families--themselves included--so they decided to take it over.

“We felt this was an opportunity to keep the vision alive,” Shawn stated. “We wanted to do that and keep the farm going, so we moved out here about 5 years ago and operated it.”

Not only do the couple and their two children run the Farm and stay true to that vision, but they have added some new events to inspire a good “old fashioned” Norman Rockwell-style Christmas tradition, Shawn said.

The Tree Farm’s Opening Day

This past Saturday, Nov. 21, marked the Concho Christmas Tree Farm’s annual opening day, and although the weather was a bit on the nippy side, the family began preparations early for their annual “Howdy Y’all” event, which showcases the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and Christmas specials outside on the farm. The event was scheduled for 6 p.m. that evening, or when the sun went down. This free event is a way to kick off the holiday season, Shawn noted.

“That’s something we do. [Families] bring their own chairs, blankets, and such and sit around. We show [the film] outside on a big projector screen just to start the season,” Shawn said.

Shawn added that although this was the third year, the Uptergroves have only succeeded in hosting the event once because bad weather hit every time it was scheduled.

“We’ve either had rain or ice, and since it’s outdoors, we had to cancel,” he said.

However, there were no clouds Saturday, and with a fire and some blankets, the family would add another year to their event.

In addition to the opening feature, Concho Christmas Tree Farm will be hosting its third annual “Santa and S’mores” on Dec. 11 -12, Shawn stated.

“It’s a ticketed event because there’s limited seating,” he said.

Shawn added that this is a tent event where Santa comes and gives hayrides to all the families. After the hayrides, families move inside the tent and get to enjoy one-on-one time with Santa and take pictures. Before they leave, they can roast some s’mores over an open fire pit.

“The thing about being ticketed is it’s a smaller event,” Shawn explained. “We only sell 40 tickets per night. It’s a way to relax, enjoy the atmosphere and some one-on-one time with Santa. It’s not like going to the mall, siting down, taking a picture and moving on to the next kid. It’s not that way at all.”

Enjoyment and relaxation falls in line with the Uptergrove’s philosophy.

“We want to be a refuge for folks during the holidays,” Shawn said. “Yes, we sell trees and we have the gift shop, and that’s how we pay for everything to keep this thing running, but there’s no hurry. Families sit down; the hayride’s free. Families can sit down, pick out a tree, shop in the gift store and just relax. We’re not going to rush you in and out of here.”

Shawn added that they always sell out at this event, especially on Saturday night. As of opening day, they had already sold about half of the tickets for that night.

“We have a lot of repeat families,” Shawn said. “These families know the events that will take place, so they call and reserve ahead of time. That’s what we encourage families to do—call in and get their tickets ahead of time so they don’t miss the fun.”

In addition to these two events, the Uptergroves entertain area school children and groups of families who want to tour the farm during the holiday season. The kids and families can walk the fields and take in the overall scenery where rows of Afghan Pines grow from West Texas soil; and, they can enjoy a petting zoo.

Kenzie and Kolson also have a small shop of sweets where families can enjoy a bit of popcorn, drinks, and any other sweets the brother and sister are selling.

“It’s a great way for my little brother and I to make things more special for the kids and families,” Kenzie, a student at Christoval High School, said.

To schedule a group or school visit, Shawn said people have to call in advance. Many people call as early as October because they know how the Farm’s schedule fills up. The Uptergroves said their schedule for this year is full, and that didn’t take long to happen.

These visits are not only enjoyable for the groups and families, but also for the Uptergroves.

“When we see the kids’ faces, that reminds us why we’re doing this,” Shawn said.

Don’t Forget to Stop at the Gift Shop

The Concho Christmas Tree Farm Gift Shop is Jodie’s “baby.” She starts shopping for the season’s inventory in the summer because it takes her a bit of time to get the displays set up.

“This is a great creative outlet for me, and I absolutely love it,” Jodie said. “I wanted to give it a Fredericksburg-type feel.”

Creativity does not quite describe the small shop that stands in the middle of the farm near the Uptergrove’s home. When people walk in, they feel like they’re walking into Santa’s workshop at the North Pole with all the home-crafted items set up in aesthetically pleasing Christmas arrays.

The Uptergroves said they purchase many of their items from the local craftsmen and women who have something unique to offer the store and West Texas.

In fact, one of their elderly vendors who makes quality wooden crafted items just provided his last contribution to the shop. Because of his age, he had to move closer to family.

“We’re really going to miss him,” Jodie said.

Of Course, There’s The Trees and Wreathes

The Concho Christmas Tree Farm offers the old-fashioned family-fun tradition of going out and finding a live tree. When families go to the Tree Farm, they get to engage in the tree picking process from start to finish, and they get to enjoy all the things mentioned previously as they do so. It’s not just about purchasing the trees, but about the experience, the Uptergroves said.

Additionally, the Uptergroves work hard year-round to ensure the trees and wreathes they provide to families are fresh and the best quality.

Shawn explained, “We plant every spring. We plant about 200 seedlings. The reason we do 200 is because we have about 150 cut down from our field every year for Christmas. We’re a choose and cut farm, which means we furnish the saws and families come out, walk our fields, pick their own Christmas tree and cut it down.”

Shawn also explained that the Afghan Pines are trees that grow in the dessert.

“We had to grow a dessert tree, something that could handle our heat and doesn’t dry. These [trees] are well adapted to our conditions and our environment,” he stated.

Once families find their trees, they cut them down, bring them to the workers so they can shake them, net them and get them ready to go home. If families don’t find anything they want to cut, the family also offers other live trees.

“These are also Afghan Pines,” Shawn said. “A lot of families will take those, put them in their home for a Christmas tree, and when the season is over, they have something they can plant in their yard and landscape. I have some families who do that every year. That’s their tradition.”

In addition to the Afghan Pines, the Uptergroves offer Fraser Firs that come from a large commercial producer in North Carolina. Those trees came in a little later this year, so Shawn and the Farm’s seasonal hired workers were up until 1 a.m. opening day unloading them. They also spent Saturday morning getting things cleaned up in time for the family event.

Shawn said the Fraser Firs are shipped to them in a refrigerated truck. When they get the trees, they cut the bottom of them and soak them in water and get them in the shade to keep them fresh.

“Whether it’s in the field or pre-cut, we want the trees to be as fresh as possible,” Shawn said. “They’re just a beautiful tree.”

In addition to the trees, the Uptergroves sell homemade wreathes. Chelsea Valentine, who has spent two years helping create holiday masterpieces for the Farm, spent Saturday morning designing and coating them

“I really enjoy doing this. It’s a great creative outlet for me, and people really seem to enjoy them,” Valentine said.

The wreathes come in various sizes, and Valentine also makes Cross Wreathes.

Continuing the Tradition

Although the Uptergroves weren’t looking for a new home or an opportunity, and it’s not every day people who work full-time jobs will take on the responsibility of another labor-intensive business, the family knew they had to carry on the tradition started by the Scotts 12 years ago.

It’s not only become a family tradition for them, but it’s also become a way for the family to bring the old traditional feel back to Christmas that has changed with consumerism.

Jodie said she just wants people to come to the farm to visit, look around and get into the Christmas spirit even if they don’t buy a tree, a wreathe, or shop in the gift shop.

“It’s about the family and having fun,” she said.

For more information about the Concho Christmas Tree Farm, visit http://conchochristmastreefarm.com/, or check out the Uptergrove’s Facebook page by clicking here.