Going to the CR Trees and Boutique Christmas tree farm in Whitefish is more than an exercise in buying a tree. Tree growers Bernie and Craig Thompson have created a Christmas tree family experience there.
The recently opened facility in rural Whitefish is a 25-minute drive from downtown Sudbury, but Bernie Thompson said it's a unique experience of a lifetime especially for young people who may have never had the fun of visiting the farm, picking out a live tree, cutting it down and taking it home.
She said she and her husband bought the retirement property nearly 20 years ago, a little oasis of peace and quiet in the country, on land that was once an active farm.
Thompson said she and her husband Craig had worked at clearing the property over the years and the idea hit them.
"And it was just one day, we were just like, you know, why don't we plant Christmas trees? Because it sounded like a good idea at the time," she said.
Thompson said she researched the idea through the Christmas Tree Farmers of Ontario and from there found a nursery to supply them with tree seedlings. Thompson said they began planting the seedlings on their farm and the fields were named after reindeer characters from the children's story Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
"So then, in May of 2016, we planted our first trees — 600 trees, and the field is Dasher. And then a year later, we planted Dancer and the year after that we planted Prancer," she said.
Thompson said the farm produces mainly Canaan Fir, a tree that has the classic look of a Christmas tree, is suitable for growing in northern climates and the tree buds later in the spring.
"They're great looking trees. So when we get the seedlings they're anywhere from six to seven inches tall. We have mostly Canaan Fir, although one year we planted Austrian pine in Vixen, Canaan Fir and Fraser Fir, and last year we planted Scotch Pine."
She said visitors to the farm can go out to select their favourite tree, cut it down and then bring it home.
Thompson said families are invited to check the website or the Facebook page and make plans to drive out to Whitefish. She advises everyone to wear sturdy shoes and warm clothes. The farm will supply a saw if you need one, but she also advises to bring a tarp and a ball of twine for putting the tree in the trunk of the car, or on the roof.
The whole experience can be enhanced with hot chocolate and a campfire. Visitors can also check out Bernie's Christmas boutique where they might find some interesting items. CR Trees and Boutique is located across the road from 232 Grassy Lake Road, Whitefish.
Len Gillis is a reporter with Sudbiry.com .
