Shop local for a Christmas tree

By Carrie A. Mizell

Next week Bob and Joyce Neilson of Trenton will present five Christmas trees to Florida Governor Charlie Crist.
According to Joyce Neilson, 2009 marks the second year the Neilsons’ have been asked to take Christmas trees to the state capital. Members of the Florida Christmas Tree Association, the Neilsons’ farm is just one in a rotation of 28 Christmas tree farms in the state who alternate the honor from year to year.
The Neilsons’ opened their farm up to the public last Friday and have sold 83 trees already this season. Trees range in size, variety and pricing. Sand pines are grown in the field and are available for customers who wish to cut down their own locally grown tree for $20. The Neilsons’ will furnish a saw on sight. Fresh cut northern trees are also available. Fraser Firs are shipped in from North Carolina and start at $45, while Scotch Pine trees are grown in Michigan.
Trees in pots, which can be used for Christmas and then planted sell for $35 each. Available varieties include Blue Ice, Carolina Sapphire, Southern Ridge Cedar and Leyland Cypress.

While on the Neilsons’ farm, families can not only have fun while picking out a Christmas tree, but also enjoy looking at a number of pigs, turkeys, goats and rabbits that are on the property. Hay rides are also held on the weekends.
Neilson’s Christmas Tree Farm is located five miles west of Newberry on Hwy. 26, at 6780 SE 67th Court. The farm is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call 472-2340, visit the farm’s website: www.neilsonschristmastreefarm.com or e-mail: gatorjoyce@aol.com
Jones’ Christmas Tree Farm is also a member of the Florida Christmas Tree Association. Located on the north end of Gilchrist County, the farm has provided Christmas trees to residents of Gilchrist County and surrounding counties for the last 20 years.
According to Kyle Stone, executive director of the Gilchrist County Chamber of Commerce, Hollis and Alpharetta Jones donated a 16-foot Christmas tree from their farm for this year’s Christmas on Main Street, which will be held next weekend in Trenton. On Monday, Stone reported that the tree had already been put up in front of the Trenton Depot.
“Last year the Neilsons donated our Christmas tree and this year the Jones donated a tree,” Stone said. “We are lucky to have both Christmas tree farms as Chamber members.”
Typically the Jones’ farm offers Sand Pines, Red Cedar, Virginia Pine, Leyland Cypress and Blue Ice trees as well as fresh cut Fraser Fir trees from their own farm in Wisconsin, but this year health issues prevented Hollis from making the trip to get the northern trees.
According to Hollis, his wife fell two weeks ago and broke her hip. On Friday she was moved to Ayers Health and Rehabilitation Center where she is undergoing therapy. As Hollis said on Monday, his wife is doing okay though she is getting around rather slow.
“We are blessed to have wonderful friends from our church [First Baptist Church of Branford] who have stepped in to help us at the farm,” Hollis said.
Jones’ Christmas Tree Farm is located off State Road 47 at 1230 NW 95th Street, Branford. The farm is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call (386) 935-3549 or e-mail: treefarm@gotjesus.net