USPS Publication Number 16300
T h is C o m mu n i t y N ewsp a p er is a pu bl ica t ion of E sca m bia / S a n t a Rosa B a r Assoc ia t ion
Se r v i ng t he Fi r st Jud icial Ci rcu it
Section A, Page 1
Vol. 18, No. 51
Visit The Summation Weekly Online: www.summationweekly.com
December 19, 2018
1 Section, 8 Pages
The Family Tradition of the
Christmas Tree The first thing you think about when someone says “Christmas” is probably a great, big, green tree decorated with shining ornaments and glittering garlands with presents piled high underneath it, waiting for Christmas morning to be opened. The tree is the central part of any Christmas celebration. It serves as both the beginning and the end of the celebration, with the decorating of the tree signaling the beginning of Christmas to the unwrapping of presents under the tree at the end. For many people, they begin their holiday season with a trip to find the perfect tree at a Christmas tree farm. Fish River Trees, located about an hour away in Summerdale, Alabama, is proud to be the start of any holiday celebration. “The thing that is kind of unique about the farm is something I can’t quite put a finger on, but I use the term ‘magical,’’ Steven Mannhard, the owner of Fish River Trees, said. “There’s something about it. I see it when these kids get here. There’s something about the thousands of trees in a row, the kids seeing them in a row, that is just magical.” Fish River Trees has been a staple of holiday tradition since opening in 1981, when Mannhard was convinced by a neighbor to get into the Christmas tree farming business. At the time, Auburn University was pushing Christmas trees as an alternative crop for people to farm, as the trees grow much faster in the south than they do in the north. At the time, Mannhard was an English teacher, but he found that he liked having the farm, even if he didn’t have the time for it. He said it reminded him of spending time on his family’s farm, and that he liked being able to work outside. Along with enjoying the farming life, there was something else about working with Christmas trees specifically that drew Mannhard to continue his farm even when his neighbor closed his own farm. He enjoyed the family building and the tradition of going out to find a Christmas tree. He found that Fish River gave
that experience to families all along the Gulf Coast. “It’s different from other kinds of farming, where you’re growing corn or raising hogs or whatever. There’s not that personal relationship that you establish with that customers,” Mannhard said. “That’s what makes Christmas tree farming a little different.” Fish River is separated into five distinct sections: the “choose and cut” farm, the nursery, the shipped-in trees, the wreath, garland and centerpiece center and what Mannhard calls the “agritainment” farm. The “choose and cut” farm includes trees that customers can cut themselves to take home. The nursery includes trees grown in special containers that allow customers to plant them in their yard once the Christmas season is over. The shipped-in trees include the traditional Christmas fir tree that Mannhard brings from up north as they don’t grow this far south. Customers can find farm-grown garlands and wreaths at Fish River, along with special centerpieces for their holiday table. And finally, the “agritainment” part of the farm includes a manger scene with real animals, pony and camel rides, visits from Santa and other events that happen throughout the holiday season. Together, the entire farm works together to make an experience for families who come every year to get their tree. “At the heart of the experience is a family thing,” Mannhard said. “I see it all the time, day after day, customer after customer. You see why people come and the reason is to create a family tradition. In the process of going to the farm to get a tree, they are establishing a family tradition that goes back years. They are giving their children an experience that will last their whole life.” As the customers enjoy creating family traditions, the farm also brings together Mannhard’s family for the holidays; his two daughters come down from Birmingham every year to help with the farm and his wife runs the business side
of the farm. Every part of Fish River centers around family fun and tradition, something Mannhard attributes to the holiday spirit. “It’s hard to put a finger on the emotion of that, but it is connected to the entire Christmas experience,” Mannhard said. “It really is a matter of families and memories and tradition, the whole idea of gift giving, the whole idea of putting up a tree and decorating it. Those are all traditions. Just like going to the Christmas tree farm to get the tree.” Fish River is one of the few Christmas tree farms left, many of them having closed only a few years after opening. While the convenience of an artificial tree appeals to many nowadays, according to Mannhard those who prefer to get a real tree say they enjoy the smell of the tree, which brings back memories of Christmas from their own childhoods. The presence of the tree, with its unique smell and glittering decorations, signals the start of what many people consider their favorite part of the year. To Mannhard, the tree represents something bigger, and something he said most people understand even if they don’t necessarily talk about it during their holiday celebrations. The Christmas tree has represented the renewing of life at the end of the year nearly since its creation. Even in pagan times, when people thought the tree was magical as it remained green while everything else turned brown in the winter, the Christmas tree has been seen as a reminder that life continues. “That is the message of Christmas – bringing new life to the world,”Mannhard said. “That’s why the Christmas tree tradition is so strong because I think in everyone’s heart they understand the green tree and decorating it and what it means, because it is a symbol of new life.” Fish River Trees is open now until Dec. 23, 8 am to 5 pm daily. Specific holiday events hosted at the farm can be found on their website fishrivertrees.com.
Excited to get your very own tree this year? Here’s a few tips on how to keep it healthy through the end of Christmas dinner. • Cut a thin layer off the bottom: Have a stand ready, if you can, full of water when you get home with your new tree. The sooner you get it in water, the better. Before you put it in the water though, make sure to cut a little off the bottom of the stem. Just like with flowers, cutting a little off the bottom makes it easier for the tree to take water from the stand and will ensure it can live to see the end of the holiday season • Water, water, water: A tree will take more water the first week than the next couple of weeks, especially on the first day in its stand. Make sure to check frequently that water levels remain stable and double check before you go to bed at night. Trees will frequently dry up overnight if not given enough water to last. Put a note to yourself on your fridge or set an alarm on your phone to remind you to check the water levels before you go to sleep and when you wake up in the morning, especially for the first week. • Close nearby air vents: With the weather cooling down, you will start to lean more on your home’s heating systems. The warm-air vents act almost like a hair dryer to a Christmas tree and will dry out the pines, causing them to fall off the branches. Close any air vents that are near the tree, or make sure it is kept cool during the holidays. This will save your carpet and your vacuum. • Keep your tree in a cool place: Got your tree early, but not quite ready to decorate it? No problem! If you have time before you decorate it, consider keeping your tree in the garage or storage shed, where it is cooler and more humid than the inside of your home. If you store your tree, make sure you keep a close eye on its water supply. While it won’t take as much water if it is humid, trees can still dry up very quickly and can shed if not properly cared for.
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