Lochsloy Acres Christmas Tree Farm
2016 Season Newsletter
.
Greetings, Friends. Hardly seems like it’s been a year since we last did this. We must be getting OLD!! Are you ready to start thinking about Christmas already?
This year, Lochsloy Acres will be open for pre-season tree reservations starting November 5th. 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.
Once again, the weather has been interesting. It got warm and dry really early. To date, we’ve only measured about 32” of rain at our house. Heck, some years we get that much by March!! Some of the trees really responded well, others just turned yellow and died. Go figure – especially those stupid Nobles. They don’t like it too hot or too wet and if they’re the tiniest bit unhappy, they give up and croak! 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.
So, what’s new this year?
Very few Tall Trees – We have a good selection in the 7-8’ and 8-9’ sizes but there’s very little taller than that. We just can’t grow them as fast as you’re cutting them!
Kids/Funny Trees – We usually have a selection of ugly trees which we make available as kids’ trees when you buy a regular tree. Because we’ve done a lot of culling this year, there won’t be as many of these. During pre-season reservations, these will be in the field to tag. If you want one with your regular tree, ask for a list of the locations. If you cut it yourself, there will be no charge. However, once we start letting people cut trees, we will bring all the remaining kids’ trees to the back of the barn and charge $5 for them (with purchase of a full priced tree). When they’re gone, they’re gone.
Nordmann firs – Many of you have looked at these in the past but they weren’t tall enough yet. They’re taller this year with some in the 8-9’ range. They look fabulous. Mike thinks he finally has the technique for growing these trees worked out.
Noble Firs – We have a good selection of Nobles tagged this year – not as many as last year but still good. Nobles are still inclined to just die after they are 6-8 years old which is pretty frustrating! We have lots in the 6-7’, 7-8’ and 8-9’ sizes with a handful above 9’.
Grand Firs – These are in short supply again this year. We cut back on our Grand acreage several years ago when we couldn’t give them away. Then, people discovered them and cleaned us out! It will be years before we have a good supply of them again. This year, we may be sold out of these during the pre-season.
Frasers – We’ve tagged more beautiful trees than we’ve had in years but there are a limited number over 9’. Plus, they’re scattered all over the farm! Let us know what size you’re looking for and we might be able to narrow down your search area.
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 2200 trees that are over 6’ tall but have a limited number over 9’.
- 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 5th, 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. Because Thanksgiving is late again this year, we will have a full crew ready to assist with cut trees the weekend of the 19th.
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 entire price tag 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 Saturday, Dec 5th when most of the taller trees were gone. We’re shooting to be open until Sunday, Dec 4th but we’ll never have the bigger trees if we don’t save some. That affects our decision.
Tips for tree shopping:
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
2016 Season Newsletter
.
Greetings, Friends. Hardly seems like it’s been a year since we last did this. We must be getting OLD!! Are you ready to start thinking about Christmas already?
This year, Lochsloy Acres will be open for pre-season tree reservations starting November 5th. 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.
Once again, the weather has been interesting. It got warm and dry really early. To date, we’ve only measured about 32” of rain at our house. Heck, some years we get that much by March!! Some of the trees really responded well, others just turned yellow and died. Go figure – especially those stupid Nobles. They don’t like it too hot or too wet and if they’re the tiniest bit unhappy, they give up and croak! 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.
So, what’s new this year?
Very few Tall Trees – We have a good selection in the 7-8’ and 8-9’ sizes but there’s very little taller than that. We just can’t grow them as fast as you’re cutting them!
Kids/Funny Trees – We usually have a selection of ugly trees which we make available as kids’ trees when you buy a regular tree. Because we’ve done a lot of culling this year, there won’t be as many of these. During pre-season reservations, these will be in the field to tag. If you want one with your regular tree, ask for a list of the locations. If you cut it yourself, there will be no charge. However, once we start letting people cut trees, we will bring all the remaining kids’ trees to the back of the barn and charge $5 for them (with purchase of a full priced tree). When they’re gone, they’re gone.
Nordmann firs – Many of you have looked at these in the past but they weren’t tall enough yet. They’re taller this year with some in the 8-9’ range. They look fabulous. Mike thinks he finally has the technique for growing these trees worked out.
Noble Firs – We have a good selection of Nobles tagged this year – not as many as last year but still good. Nobles are still inclined to just die after they are 6-8 years old which is pretty frustrating! We have lots in the 6-7’, 7-8’ and 8-9’ sizes with a handful above 9’.
Grand Firs – These are in short supply again this year. We cut back on our Grand acreage several years ago when we couldn’t give them away. Then, people discovered them and cleaned us out! It will be years before we have a good supply of them again. This year, we may be sold out of these during the pre-season.
Frasers – We’ve tagged more beautiful trees than we’ve had in years but there are a limited number over 9’. Plus, they’re scattered all over the farm! Let us know what size you’re looking for and we might be able to narrow down your search area.
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 2200 trees that are over 6’ tall but have a limited number over 9’.
- 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 5th, 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. Because Thanksgiving is late again this year, we will have a full crew ready to assist with cut trees the weekend of the 19th.
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 entire price tag 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 Saturday, Dec 5th when most of the taller trees were gone. We’re shooting to be open until Sunday, Dec 4th but we’ll never have the bigger trees if we don’t save some. That affects our decision.
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. With the late season growth spurt we’re seeing, it’s also DEEP, even a few days after we mow. 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
