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The holiday season is in full swing, and Upstate residents have started the countdown to Christmas Day. A thought that comes to mind early in the going is where to find a good place to get that �perfect� Christmas tree. Fortunately, there are a number of great choices in the Greenville area from which to choose � and even more fortunately, buying a freshly cut, heavenly-scented Christmas tree that is grown in South Carolina also enhances our local economy.
Perhaps surprisingly to some, South Carolina is home to a large number of Christmas tree farms. While the ever-popular Fraser fir cannot be grown in the state (our neighbor to the north has the market cornered on that variety, which requires the extensive cold weather that comes with elevations exceeding 3,500 feet to thrive), South Carolina Christmas tree farms grow a large variety of trees that have long been popular throughout the South. The Virginia Pine is the most popular of the locally grown trees. Native to the Upper Piedmont and mountain regions, the Virginia Pine is sturdy, long-lasting, and has a wonderful pine scent that fills homes with an aroma that is guaranteed to trigger a lifetime of Christmas memories. The Leyland Cypress is another excellent choice among locally grown favorites. This long-lasting tree offers a unique feature � it hangs on to its needles, so no shedding! This trait, along with a wonderful, fresh scent, makes the Leyland Cypress a popular choice. The White Pine, native to the entire east coast of North America well up into Canada, is also grown by local Christmas tree farms. South Carolina is one of only a few southern states to grown this popular tree. It offers a great pine scent, is longlasting, and is a great choice for those who want to bring the natural world that lies just outside the window into the home. Local growers also offer the Eastern Red Cedar. While some might not be interested in this deliciously aromatic tree because of its prickly needles, others are drawn to it just for that reason. The prickly nature of this tree often helps deter young children and most pets from seeking out any �up close and personal� experiences, thereby eliminating injuries to the children or pets (and damage to the tree and heirloom ornaments) in the process. A less prickly relative of the Eastern Red Cedar, the Carolina Sapphire, features an elegant blue color, lovely scent, and softer-to-the-touch needles than most cedars. In the Greenville area, all of these trees, as well as fresh wreaths, garland, bows, and tree stands, can be found at a number of farms. Elves Tree Farm, located at 217 Berea Heights Road in Greenville, is open Thanksgiving Day through Christmas Eve (M-F, noon-7 PM; Sat, 9 AM-7 PM; Sun, 1-6 PM). They offer potted Leyland Cypress, fresh-cut Leyland Cypress, White Pine, Red Cedar, Carolina Sapphire, and fresh pre-cut Fraser fir. Call 864-246-6750 or 864-246-6430 for more information. Mystic Farm, located at 9029 Old White Horse Road in Greenville (1-1/2 miles from Furman�s golf course at the corner of the Hwy 25 by-pass and White Horse Road), is open Thanksgiving week through December 20, M-Sat, 9 AM-8 PM, and Sundays, noon-6 PM. They offer Leyland Cypress, Virginia Pine, White Pine, Carolina Sapphire, Red Cedar, and fresh-cut Fraser firs. Fresh wreaths, tree stands, and snow flocking are also available. Some lighting is available for nighttime harvesting. All trees are shaken (to remove dead grasses, etc., that are a natural part of tree growing) and wrapped, and fire retardant treatment is available. For more information, please call 864-294-0409. May-Lan Tree Plantation, located at 156 Cooley Bridge Road in Pelzer (Highway 25 to Ware Place, bear off Highway 25 onto Highway 247 � Belton Highway � at Ware Place; farm is half-mile on right). They offer wagon rides to and from the fields and weekend marshmallow roasts. Choose and cut field � they provide the saws and store cut trees in water. Wreaths, garland, bows, SC jellies, jams, and ciders are all available. Open beginning Thanksgiving Day, 12 PM � 5:30 PM. Hours are Monday � Thursday, 1 � 5:30 PM, Friday and Saturday, 10 AM � 5:30 PM, Sunday, 12 PM � 5:30 PM. For more information, please call 864-243-3092 or visit their web site, www.maylanfarms.com. In Greenwood County, Christmas Pines Tree Farm, located at 5602 Highway 39, Mountville, is open beginning November 23, M-Sat, 9 AM to dark (about 6 PM). They are closed on Sunday. They offer field grown, 5-to-10-feet, ready to cut White Pine, Virginia Pine, Carolina Sapphire, and Red Cedar. They also offer 5-to-16-feet Leyland Cypress cut trees. Fresh, handmade Fraser fir wreaths are available. For the industrious types, saws are on hand to cut your own tree from the field. Wagon rides are available to and from the fields. For more information, please call 864-994-4851.
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