Lochsloy Acres Christmas Tree Farm
2017 Season Newsletter
.
Greetings, Friends. Given the emails and posts we’ve already been receiving, there’s no doubt some of you are already thinking about your 2017 Christmas tree. Good news for us! ;->
This year, Lochsloy Acres will be open for pre-season tree reservations starting November 4th. As usual, we will be open during the pre-season (up to Thanksgiving) every day but Tuesdays from 11am – 4:30pm. Our address is 5511 State Road 92, Lake Stevens. Our web site is www.LochsloyAcres.com.
The good news this year is the market trees really seemed to like the wet spring followed by an exceptionally dry summer for the most part. They sent up amazing leaders and developed really nicely. The seedlings didn’t fare so well but that won’t be a problem for 8 years or so. Once again, we’re counting on a soggy fall to give them all a good drink before they go dormant for the year which should help needle retention on cut trees. This week’s forecasted ‘atmospheric river’ should help a lot in that regard!
So, what’s new this year?
The Frasers and Dougs are plentiful and GORGEOUS! The Frasers are always amazing but we have never seen so many stunning Dougs! There are LOTS in the 7-8’ and 8-9’ sizes. Over 9’, there are fewer to choose from but more than last year. The Dougs have more selection in the taller sizes with a couple to 11’.
Grand Firs – Our selection of these is extremely limited – downright pitiful! After years of not being able to sell these trees, our supply has been virtually wiped out. We hope to have a decent selection in a year or two and are allocating more land to growing them but fixing a shortage takes years. If you can’t find a Grand that works for you, check out the Dougs and Nordmanns. Neither has the amazing fragrance but they both look great.
Nordmann firs – We finally have a good selection of these trees up to 9’ and they are AMAZING! We took one to the Puyallup Fair for our Tree Association booth and many people thought it was fake! They have a longer, greener needle than the Noble but strong branches. Be sure to check them out. (Note – we had a Nordmann on display in the barn last year. It’s STILL out there a year later and hasn’t lost a needle. That’s impressive!)
Noble Firs – We have a good selection of Nobles – about the same number as last year. We have lots in the 6-7’, 7-8’ and 8-9’ sizes with maybe a dozen above 9’.
Kids/Funny Trees – We usually have a selection of ugly trees which we make available as kids’ trees when you buy a regular tree. Between death loss and routine culling, we may not have as many of these. We haven’t had time to go look yet. As usual, when they’re gone, they’re gone.
Why would you want to reserve your tree early?
- Convenience - The days in November are longer and less busy with holiday activities. Plus the weather is often better.
- Time - The interval between Thanksgiving and Christmas is already packed with holiday activities, which makes it harder to find time to look for your tree.
- Selection - The first shoppers get the best tree choices. We have tagged over 2600 trees this year, 400 more than last year. Bring your walking shoes to check them all out!
- Possibility of weather issues - Snow is a four letter word around here. It causes many U-Cut tree farms to close early. If you have a reserved tree, you can come get it even if we’re closed to the public.
When are we open prior to Thanksgiving?
Starting Nov 4th, we will be open every day but Tuesday from 11am – 4:30pm through the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.
When can I cut my tree?
We discourage cutting trees much before Thanksgiving. Even with plenty of water, a tree in a warm house is going to dry out. However, if you need to cut your tree early for some reason, we have the processing station ready to shake and bale it for you. If you’d like to avoid the post-Thanksgiving crowds, it’s an option to take your tree home the weekend before Thanksgiving and leave it outside in water.
How does tree reservation work?
When you arrive, we give you plastic tape to mark your tree. You can also bring your own decorations if you choose. When you find your perfect tree, you decorate it, bring the price tag stub (new procedure) back to the barn, and pay for your tree. You will fill out a reservation card telling us who you are, which tree is yours and when you’d like to pick it up (if you want us to have it ready for you). We put your name on your tree and paint the stump mark it as a pre-sale. When you return for your tree, we will give you the exact location of your tree (trust me - they all look alike after a while!). You cut your tree and bring it to the barn to be shaken and baled.
Can I reserve a tree after Thanksgiving?
No. I’m sorry but we can’t do this. Taking reservations takes a lot of work and once we get really busy, we just don’t have time to do it.
When will we close this year?
Always the question, isn't it? Last year, we closed Sunday, Dec 4th. With more trees tagged this year, it’s possible we’ll make it to the 9th or 10th but that’s not a guarantee. We try to close while we still have some 8-9’ trees left so we’ll have some 9-10’ trees next year. It really depends on when people show up and what they buy and we have no control over that.
Tips for tree shopping:
· PLEASE DRESS YOUR CHILDREN FOR THE COLD! While it might feel comfortable walking from your house to your car, after you've wandered around the fields for an hour, you will feel the chill. We've pulled items from the lost and found and loaned our own jackets to wrap up children who are terribly underdressed. Hot chocolate can't warm frozen toes.
· No matter how sunny the day is, the grass will be WET. We’re mowing this month but with the expected rain, it may also be DEEP. Water-proof boots are a better choice than sandals or even tennis shoes.
· Parking is always an issue on the weekends after Thanksgiving. Do yourself (and us) a favor and avoid these busy days/times:
- After Seahawks games - especially if it's a good game! (Go Hawks!)
- The first weekend in December - both Saturday and Sunday are incredibly busy
- If the lot is full and people are blocking traffic on the highway, we have to close the gate until the lot empties. Sorry for the inconvenience but this is too dangerous.
· After Thanksgiving, good times to come for easy parking and a leisurely shopping trip include weekdays (except Tuesday when we’re closed) from 11am to 4:30pm and weekends between 9am and 11am. During those times, we have more time to visit with you, answer questions and, generally, enjoy the season as well.
We look forward to seeing you again this holiday season. Thank you for your continued patronage.
Mike Peters and Sheila McKinnon
Lochsloy Acres Christmas Tree Farm
2017 Season Newsletter
.
Greetings, Friends. Given the emails and posts we’ve already been receiving, there’s no doubt some of you are already thinking about your 2017 Christmas tree. Good news for us! ;->
This year, Lochsloy Acres will be open for pre-season tree reservations starting November 4th. As usual, we will be open during the pre-season (up to Thanksgiving) every day but Tuesdays from 11am – 4:30pm. Our address is 5511 State Road 92, Lake Stevens. Our web site is www.LochsloyAcres.com.
The good news this year is the market trees really seemed to like the wet spring followed by an exceptionally dry summer for the most part. They sent up amazing leaders and developed really nicely. The seedlings didn’t fare so well but that won’t be a problem for 8 years or so. Once again, we’re counting on a soggy fall to give them all a good drink before they go dormant for the year which should help needle retention on cut trees. This week’s forecasted ‘atmospheric river’ should help a lot in that regard!
So, what’s new this year?
The Frasers and Dougs are plentiful and GORGEOUS! The Frasers are always amazing but we have never seen so many stunning Dougs! There are LOTS in the 7-8’ and 8-9’ sizes. Over 9’, there are fewer to choose from but more than last year. The Dougs have more selection in the taller sizes with a couple to 11’.
Grand Firs – Our selection of these is extremely limited – downright pitiful! After years of not being able to sell these trees, our supply has been virtually wiped out. We hope to have a decent selection in a year or two and are allocating more land to growing them but fixing a shortage takes years. If you can’t find a Grand that works for you, check out the Dougs and Nordmanns. Neither has the amazing fragrance but they both look great.
Nordmann firs – We finally have a good selection of these trees up to 9’ and they are AMAZING! We took one to the Puyallup Fair for our Tree Association booth and many people thought it was fake! They have a longer, greener needle than the Noble but strong branches. Be sure to check them out. (Note – we had a Nordmann on display in the barn last year. It’s STILL out there a year later and hasn’t lost a needle. That’s impressive!)
Noble Firs – We have a good selection of Nobles – about the same number as last year. We have lots in the 6-7’, 7-8’ and 8-9’ sizes with maybe a dozen above 9’.
Kids/Funny Trees – We usually have a selection of ugly trees which we make available as kids’ trees when you buy a regular tree. Between death loss and routine culling, we may not have as many of these. We haven’t had time to go look yet. As usual, when they’re gone, they’re gone.
Why would you want to reserve your tree early?
- Convenience - The days in November are longer and less busy with holiday activities. Plus the weather is often better.
- Time - The interval between Thanksgiving and Christmas is already packed with holiday activities, which makes it harder to find time to look for your tree.
- Selection - The first shoppers get the best tree choices. We have tagged over 2600 trees this year, 400 more than last year. Bring your walking shoes to check them all out!
- Possibility of weather issues - Snow is a four letter word around here. It causes many U-Cut tree farms to close early. If you have a reserved tree, you can come get it even if we’re closed to the public.
When are we open prior to Thanksgiving?
Starting Nov 4th, we will be open every day but Tuesday from 11am – 4:30pm through the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.
When can I cut my tree?
We discourage cutting trees much before Thanksgiving. Even with plenty of water, a tree in a warm house is going to dry out. However, if you need to cut your tree early for some reason, we have the processing station ready to shake and bale it for you. If you’d like to avoid the post-Thanksgiving crowds, it’s an option to take your tree home the weekend before Thanksgiving and leave it outside in water.
How does tree reservation work?
When you arrive, we give you plastic tape to mark your tree. You can also bring your own decorations if you choose. When you find your perfect tree, you decorate it, bring the price tag stub (new procedure) back to the barn, and pay for your tree. You will fill out a reservation card telling us who you are, which tree is yours and when you’d like to pick it up (if you want us to have it ready for you). We put your name on your tree and paint the stump mark it as a pre-sale. When you return for your tree, we will give you the exact location of your tree (trust me - they all look alike after a while!). You cut your tree and bring it to the barn to be shaken and baled.
Can I reserve a tree after Thanksgiving?
No. I’m sorry but we can’t do this. Taking reservations takes a lot of work and once we get really busy, we just don’t have time to do it.
When will we close this year?
Always the question, isn't it? Last year, we closed Sunday, Dec 4th. With more trees tagged this year, it’s possible we’ll make it to the 9th or 10th but that’s not a guarantee. We try to close while we still have some 8-9’ trees left so we’ll have some 9-10’ trees next year. It really depends on when people show up and what they buy and we have no control over that.
Tips for tree shopping:
· PLEASE DRESS YOUR CHILDREN FOR THE COLD! While it might feel comfortable walking from your house to your car, after you've wandered around the fields for an hour, you will feel the chill. We've pulled items from the lost and found and loaned our own jackets to wrap up children who are terribly underdressed. Hot chocolate can't warm frozen toes.
· No matter how sunny the day is, the grass will be WET. We’re mowing this month but with the expected rain, it may also be DEEP. Water-proof boots are a better choice than sandals or even tennis shoes.
· Parking is always an issue on the weekends after Thanksgiving. Do yourself (and us) a favor and avoid these busy days/times:
- After Seahawks games - especially if it's a good game! (Go Hawks!)
- The first weekend in December - both Saturday and Sunday are incredibly busy
- If the lot is full and people are blocking traffic on the highway, we have to close the gate until the lot empties. Sorry for the inconvenience but this is too dangerous.
· After Thanksgiving, good times to come for easy parking and a leisurely shopping trip include weekdays (except Tuesday when we’re closed) from 11am to 4:30pm and weekends between 9am and 11am. During those times, we have more time to visit with you, answer questions and, generally, enjoy the season as well.
We look forward to seeing you again this holiday season. Thank you for your continued patronage.
Mike Peters and Sheila McKinnon
Lochsloy Acres Christmas Tree Farm
.
There's a Christmas tree in there somewhere!!
Lochsloy Acres Tree Farm
425-308-0355
5511 State Road 92
Lake Stevens, WA 98258
LochsloyAcres@live.com
Member of Puget Sound Christmas Tree Association
http://www.pscta.org