Oh, Christmas Tree
Locally, most holiday evergreens are grown on a few extra acres, adding income during the holiday season, planted, sold and depleted. An exception is found in four of the Steadman brothers of New Hartford. They grew up in the 60’s in a family of ten, in Plainville, Connecticut, across from a Christmas Tree lot, where the boys found work, helping the family through the holiday season.
The eldest, Kenny, on retiring from a Naval career was the first to buy land in New Hartford. In 1976, after his return from the army, Don, bought 16 acres from Kenny. Don began clearing his land and planting his first crop of evergreens. He fertilized, weeded and groomed for almost 10 years awaiting his first sales. He’s been growing and selling Canaan and Frasier firs, for nearly 40 years as Steadman Christmas Tree Farm. He has continued to purchase additional parcels, currently owning 56 acres. Jimmy, returning from Viet Nam was next. A coworker mentioned a parcel available in Maple Hollow. He purchased that parcel in1978, devoting 12 acres to a variety of pine, spruce and fir. Planting and continuing to buy up additional land as it became available. The Maple Hollow Tree Farm, on Carpenter Rd. has continued to expand. They additionally sell swags, wreaths, and operate a unique Christmas tree ornament and gift shop. It flourishes in Christmas décor. Workers are decked out in elf vests, helpful and cheery. Though the Maple Hollow farm may be a bit off the beaten path, they are bustling with business. Lastly, Peter, the youngest, opened Bakerville Farms, just down the road. Each site operates independently, though ‘cousins’ have been shared at different sites, learning the trade, and working around jobs and college schedules. A couple of the boys have purchased land and started tree farms in Massachusetts, and New York. Don’s son has recently purchased land off Highland Ave. in Torrington, with plans for his own Christmas Tree Farm!
The valleys of New Hartford offer an ideal situation for growing evergreens, opening up to a pocket of rich soil, full sunshine and good drainage. The land must be cleared of brush and root, cultivated and tilled twice. Seedlings are planted in the spring, roughly 1,500 trees per acre. Some are planted on new acreage; some are planted in place of those cut last season after rooting and tilling. Nitrogen-based fertilizers are added to ensure steady growth of about one foot per year. Dormant oils are used for fungal and insect control. Trimming grasses and weed control are ongoing throughout the growing season. Shearing and shaping must be done each year, before the end of August, so the sap may dry before Christmas sales. Also, it’s necessary to eliminate unsold, overgrown trees rooting them out of the soil, preparing it for young seedlings. “We’re busy year ‘round, but we love working outdoors, planting trees and helping the environment.” Deer and bears have been a problem, destroying many trees. Climate change has flooded some areas, infecting and rotting roots. Inland Wetland legislation has hampered their ability to drain the land and save their trees. Like any other business, there’s cost planning, purchasing, merchandising strategies and taxes to be considered.
What makes this business so special, “…is the people that come at the end of November and up through Christmas (though some sites run out of fresh trees after the 2nd week of December). They’re excited to choose a tree…it radiates, the whole place is bursting with joy!
When the holidays are over, please check with the Scouts, Fire Department, or Recycling Centers in your locality for disposal options. In Goshen, Gary Stango (54 Bare Hill Rd.) will accept chemical-free, tinsel-free trees as feed for his livestock.
