Find the perfect Christmas Tree at MR and MS Trees By PennyLynn Webb community@palestineherald.com
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R and MS Trees has been creating lasting holiday memories for more than 15 years. The local Christ- mas tree farm opens the day after Thanksgiving.
Owner Mike Sparks said, “Come out to our farm for some good family fun. We will take your family on a hayride out to the field of trees for you to choose and cut your own Christmas tree, or you can choose from our precut tree selection. We want to offer you a wonderful day of family togetherness that will create memories to last a lifetime.” “We opened the tree farm because we love and enjoy Christmas. We love to see the children’s excitement over finding and cutting that special tree, searching for ornaments in t h e store and
visiting with Santa,” he said, adding, “Come on out. Enjoy the fresh air and relax during this hectic season. Sit by our fire pit on hay bales to warm up. Enjoy some hot cider. We’ll help you find that perfect tree!” According to Sparks, “We have more than 1,000 trees ready to sell this year, plenty of 10-foot-tall Virginia pines and North Carolina Frazier firs up to 12 feet tall while they last. We have people who can cut your tree for you or you can chop down your own.” MR and MS Trees, located in Tucker, features Virginia pines that you can choose and cut yourself and pre-cut Frazier firs. MR and MS Trees was named the first-place winner for Virginia pine in 2003. MR represents the initials of owners Michaelene and Rick Sparks and MS was for the previous co-owners Mike and Sandra Pell. The farm is located on 60 acres of family farmland. Their first tree planting took place in 1997. Today, there are Virginian pines growing on approximately 20 acres of the property. They are planted in January and harvested after four years, in order to produce trees in 8-foot approximations. MR and MS Trees not only sells trees for the holidays, they also have fresh-made wreaths, a Christmas Store, offer hayrides and have a picnic area. Wifi is also available for your convenience. To order a fresh wreath, call ahead and make pre-arrangements for style, size and pickup. The man in red, Santa, makes an appearance at the tree farm each weekend to greet the good little girls and boys. Bring your camera for pictures of the kids with jolly ol’ St. Nick. You can also drop off your wish list and letters to Santa at his permanent mailbox located at the farm.
Sit a spell on their covered porches, warming up by the fire pit. Stop by the store for a hot cup of coffee, wassail or hot chocolate, and browse through the store for ornaments, stocking stuffers, lights, tree stands, craft items and other fun Christmas items and holiday gifts and décor. They also offer cut firewood. Both the store and one of the trailers used for the hayrides are handicap accessible. Guided tours of the tree farm are available in the off season for $5 per person. Tours take approximately 30 to 45 minutes and include a hayride around the 60-acre farm. MR and MS Trees’ owners ask that you call in advance to book your tour and check for availability. School tours are also available in October and November by reservation only. MR and MS Trees’ hours of operation are Wednesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. until dark and Sunday from 1 p.m. until dark. All pets must be on leashes. MR and MS Trees is located at 342 ACR 2908, 12 miles from Palestine off HWY 79 South. Take FM Road 645 in the Tucker community at the blinking yellow light, just past Wal-Mart Warehouse. Travel 2.2 miles, take County Road 2907, which will be the second road on the left after turning off HWY 79. Drive to the end of the road until you see the MR and MS Trees store and sign on the right. For more information, contact Michaelene or Rick Sparks at 903-5380160 or by email at mrandmrstrees@ hotmail.com.