Families visit Hidden Pines in search of the perfect Christmas tree
CLYDE - Four-year-old Charleigh Wammes of Green Springs arrived with a tall order when she was picking out a tree at Hidden Pines Christmas Tree Farm on Nov. 11. She ran amongst the 700 available pines, careful not to step on the “baby trees,” looking for just the right one.
“I want to find one that isn’t too fat and isn’t too tall and isn’t too small and isn’t pokey,” she said.
Charleigh and her mom, April Wammes, and Charleigh’s brother, Aiden Benson, 14, were among hundreds of people who spent opening day at Hidden Pines picking out the tree that will grace their living rooms this Christmas. They tied pink ribbons on their pick to claim them as their own, and they’ll return later in the season to cut them down and haul them home.
Binger tagged nearly 700 trees ready to sell
“I sold about 200 trees in the first three hours,” said Hidden Pines owner Alan Binger. “I tagged 700 and expect to sell about 450. That way I know the last person still has over 200 trees to choose from.”
Starting this Thanksgiving weekend, Hidden Pines will also sell 150 precut trees purchased from a Michigan tree farm.
Also looking for the perfect Christmas tree were Brett and Trisha Hosseler from Tiffin and their children Braxtyn, 11; Eastyn, 7; and Paityn, 6. The family had one goal in mind: find the biggest, most beautiful tree on the farm.
“The one we picked was the most beautiful for its size and shape,” Braxtyn said. “We get a big one every year.”
The Hosseler home has tall ceilings to accommodate their big tree, and Eastyn shared another reason for wanting a massive pine.
“We want a big one, so we can decorate it more,” he said.
Brett said this is the third year the family purchased a tree from Hidden Pines. It took the family about 30 minutes to find one, but Paityn was happy with their choice.
Picking a tree becomes a family event
“It’s really big and very pretty, and I’m going to put a lot of stuff on it,” she said. “My favorite ornaments are the baseball ornaments because my brothers play baseball.”
The Hidden Pines gift shop has “more stuff than ever, this year,” Binger said.
“We have more home décor and lots of custom grave decorations,” he said. “We redesigned our grave blankets, and I’ll have a whole bunch premade.”
Binger is hosting Wine and Wreath classes this Christmas season. The bring-your-own-wine events include nonalcoholic beverages, snacks and supplies for making a Christmas wreath. Upcoming classes are on Sunday, Nov. 19 and Monday, Nov. 20. Groups of six or more welcome to schedule a private event.
“Friends can decorate a wreath together. It’s a little two-hour party,” Binger said. “This is the first year we’ve offered private parties.”
Hidden Pines Tree Farm is at 3829 Limerick Rd. in Clyde. For more information, including hours of operation, visit hiddenpinesclyde.com or call 419-355-3650.
Contact correspondent Sheri Trusty at sheritrusty4@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Hidden Pines Christmas Tree Farm gives shoppers 700 choices
