Our Maine Street's Aroostook Issue 10 : Fall 2011 | Page 35

Tree harvest usually starts for the wholesale market
the weekend of November 11. It cannot begin until there
have been several hard frosts to set the needles. It takes
a lot of work to handle large, frozen, snow-covered trees.
They are counted, graded, tagged, cut, bailed, piled and
made ready to be shipped. Buyers want the trees so they
will be in place for sales before Thanksgiving. Gary and
his son, Frank Richards, follow the trees each year to make
sure the customers are satisfied. Also at this time, boughs
are collected by the Richards’ workers to be used for the
beautiful decorations sold on the farm for Christmas.

“The tree farm that was once a small bit of land, with
a few trees, has become a huge business that many families are
involved in. Many people from the community come to this
farm every winter to visit, ride on horse-drawn sleighs, and to
find that beautiful tree for a great Christmas.”

The first weekend in December is the beginning of
the cutting of the “pick and choose trees” season - that is
those that have been chosen by families ahead of time. And

the season is off and running!

Some wreaths are available around the middle of
November. For the past five years, the Richards family
has been donating wreaths for the graves of veterans at
the Fairmont Cemetery on the Houlton Road in Presque
Isle. But the official opening for retail business is usually
Thanksgiving weekend. The first two weekends in
December, families are treated to sleigh rides out onto the
back of the farm. They can choose which tree they would
like to have for the holiday, then they can cut the tree
themselves, or someone will cut it for them. According to
Mary Etta Richards, “There have been people who have cut
a Christmas tree for their very first time! Add a little snow,
sing a carol – it’s truly Christmas magic! We have many
third generation families who make choosing the right
Christmas tree great memories.”

When they get back to the barn, they can go inside
for some delicious apple cider and look over the beautiful
centerpieces, wreaths, sprays, garlands, and kissing balls
FALL 2011 Tree Farm 35