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Hart-T-Tree Farms is owned and operated by John and Kathy Chefas, Christmas tree growers and retailers. The company originated in Hart, Michigan, but moved their main farming operation to the Blue Ridge Mountains to grow Fraser firs in the mid-1980's. The company headquarters is in Grassy Creek, North Carolina, located in the northwest corner of the state on the Virginia border.
John is a first generation Christmas tree grower and a second generation Christmas tree retailer. John’s father retailed Christmas trees in Chicago, IL for 57 years. In the late 1970’s, John and Kathy retailed Christmas trees in Chicago until moving the retail operation to southeast Florida in 1980. Now, John's son, Steven, is a second generation grower and a third generation Christmas tree retailer. John’s older brother, Regas Chefas, owns and operates Gethsemane Garden Center, an expansive landscape and gardening retail store located on the northside of Chicago. Hart-T-Tree Farms retails its Christmas trees in the counties of Broward, Palm Beach and Brevard, Florida. With almost 50 years of retail experience, John is an expert in this business. His attention to detail, knowledge of this business and strong work ethic are unsurpassed. Hart-T-Tree Farms is a proud member of the Ashe County Christmas Tree Association, the North Carolina Christmas Tree Association and the National Christmas Tree Growers Association.
SPRING
In the spring, we plant young trees. These are either seedlings (2 year old plants) or transplants (3-5 year old plants). Transplants have a better survival rate because they are more mature plants and can survive greater fluctuations in the weather, but they are also more costly than seedlings.
Beginning in March, the Fraser firs are “set out” (planted) either by hand or with the help of a tractor mounted planting machine. Though we have the help of a machine planter, workers are still required to follow behind and secure the tree in the ground. Hand planting is, of course, more labor intensive. The trees are planted in straight rows 6’ apart to allow for proper room to grow. Every 10 or 12 rows a roadway is left unplanted so the farm machinery can easily access the crop.
After the trees are planted, they are fertilized every year for the next 7 to 10 years until they are harvested. Fertilizer is needed to help the trees grow strong and thick.
 Hand Planting
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 Machine Planting
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Fertilizing |
SUMMER
In the summer we mow the grass and spray the trees. The grass and weeds grow quickly with the summer rains. To minimize weeds around the trees, herbicides are sprayed. To keep grass and weeds under control on the roadways we mow with a tractor.
Close watch is kept on the trees for insect and disease infestations. When any crop is grown in quantity, insects and disease are a problem. Control is achieved by spraying organic insecticides. We scout and use Intergrated Pest Management practices to only spray when necessary reducing the amount of chemicals used.
 Filling Backpacks with Herbicide
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 Spraying Weeds with Herbicide
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FALL
After the trees have their new growth, the most painstaking part of tree farming begins: shearing. Many weeks are spent in the fields shaping the trees. Christmas trees get their first shearing when they are 3’tall. After that they are trimmed every year. Each tree is trimmed by hand, top to bottom, by workers wearing long sleeved shirts, hats and gloves regardless of the heat. It takes several minutes to shear each tree. Shearing is necessary for high-quality Christmas trees.
In September, after all the trees are trimmed and enjoying the cooler temperatures, we look all over our fields to determine which trees are ready for harvest. We place colorful plastic ribbons on the trees (a different color for each size) which will indicate which trees will be cut for our retail lots for the year. Often a whole field is not ready for sale in any one year. It routinely takes two to four years before a field is cleared and ready for new trees to be planted.
Shearing the Trees
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WINTER
In late November we begin harvesting trees on our farm. Each of the tagged trees are cut down, the bottom branches are removed for easy placement for your tree stands, and then the trees are slid through a baler which bundles and wraps each tree with twine for transport.
Hart-T-Tree Farm trees are usually shipped within 1 or 2 days of being cut. Because we grow our own trees for our retail locations, we are able to cut and ship as the business demands. We do not have to keep trees in stockpiles or in freezers for weeks on end before shipping.
After cleaning up the fields, we shut down the farm to celebrate Christmas with our family. The winter snows cover the trees with a blanket of white and all the trees take a rest. So do we!
Bailing the Trees for Harvest
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Winter on the Farm
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