BELLEVILLE, Ill. – At Eckert’s Farm, there’s no shortage of trees to choose from, and you can cut your own down starting this weekend. But you may be wondering: why the early start?
This Christmas tradition is beginning a full two weekends before Thanksgiving. There’s a reason behind the early launch of the season.
“About 10 years ago or so, we noticed that families from Scott Air Force Base, which is close to us here in Belleville, would ask if they could come out and cut a tree early. We just had some demand for early trees, so we figured why not open up early? Some of those families might deploy early ahead of Christmas time,” Jerry Hearn, the farm manager at Eckert’s Farm, said.
The farm has a tree lot with firs from Wisconsin, and you can cut down a white pine. But for those getting a real tree for the first time, the experts at Eckert’s have some recommendations.
“Fraser fir is really nice, just because they’re easier and they have shorter needles, especially on the vacuum. White pines are beautiful trees, so if you want to get that ‘cut your own’ experience, they are nice if you aren’t the best at watering because they’re going to be a fresh-cut tree,” Hearn said.
These trees grow about a foot a year, and with many fields of different sizes, everybody can find the right fit for their holiday display.
“The perfect tree exists for everyone and every family, and it’s always different. Some people like tall and skinny. Some people like a little bit shorter and wider. And some people like really big all around or they like small. That’s the fun thing about trees; they’re all individuals just like people,” said Hearn.
If you want to keep it fresh until Christmas, you’ll have to take care of it properly.
“Water is always important. Whether you get a tree this weekend or if you get a tree the weekend before Christmas, you got to make sure you stay up on your water with a real tree in your house,” Hearn said.
Pick your own trees will be available Tuesdays through Sundays. For more information, visit eckerts.com.