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ALL THINGS OKLAHOMA
Out on a Limb
Picking the perfect pine is a lovely family tradition, but plenty of hard work occurs on the farm before you arrive.
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BILL AND PAULA JACOBS HAVE OWNED AND OPERATED OWASSO CHRISTMAS TREE AND BERRY FARM FOR OVER 40 YEARS. PHOTO BY JOSH NEW
ew images seem more festive this time of year than a family meandering through a field full of tall pines, with cups of hot chocolate or cider in their hands, breathing in the crisp air and looking for the perfect tree for their living room. It doesn’t take much imagination to picture each of the trees festooned with garlands, twinkling lights and
ornaments aplenty. Even the work of cutting down a tree seems like part of the fun. However, that idyllic experience occurs only because of the labor-intensive efforts of those who run Christmas tree farms in a state known for its unpredictable seasons. “I’ve heard there is only one other crop that is more labor-intensive than Christmas trees, and that is growing grapes,” says Jean Collins-
Holdaway, who owns and operates All Pine Christmas Tree Farm in Yukon with her husband, Mike, and their family. She says they spend many hundreds of hours each year making sure their trees are ready for the season. Collins-Holdaway started her farm as a way to contribute to her retirement. She bought the land in 1984 and sold trees wholesale, but 24 years ago she purchased her current DECEMBER 2018 | WWW.OKMAG.COM
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