Russell Stutsman stands next to one of the many evergreen trees available for families that like to celebrate the holiday season with a live tree. (Photos by Laurie Eads)

Stutsman Tree Farm (STF) will begin the 2009 Christmas tree season with an Open House on Friday, November 27. As usual, refreshments will be served to patrons, and door prizes will be awarded. Russell and Jeanne Stutsman will be on hand to greet and serve all comers, many of whom have been friends and customers for a long time.

The tree farm is located about two miles north of Bristol on SR 15. Hours for selling Christmas trees will be from noon until dark Monday through Friday, and on Sunday. On Saturday hours will be from 9:00 a.m. until dark.

This will be the first year that the Stutsmans will not be offering U-cut trees. However, they will have on display a wide variety of individually priced trees, including Scotch pines, white pines, blue spruce, Douglas fir, and Fraser fir.

Most of the trees sold at STF, before being displayed, are placed into a gas-powered “tree shaker.” The machine shakes out the dead needles, which are found in all healthy evergreen trees, helping to eliminate needles in the buyer’s vehicle and home.

Stutsman’s Tree Farms is easy to find off of SR 15 north with their visible sign on the East side.

A helpful option, offered at no charge, is to run each tree through a “tree baler,” which uses twine to wrap the tree into a compact bundle. This makes it easier to transport, to set into its stand, and to carry into the house.

Another convenience available to the live tree customer is the “tree bag.” A plastic tree removal bag is placed under the tree skirt. At the end of the season the bag can then be pulled up over the tree before carrying it outdoors, thus keeping the needles from dropping on the floor.

The Stutsmans keep busy the rest of the year with their landscaping business. They actually “ball and burlap” more trees than they cut. These spruce and pine trees are sold to individuals and companies.

Inquiries about either the wholesale or the retail business of STF can be directed to the Stutsmans at 848-5706.