ozarks
roots
the people, places and traditions that make the ozarks home Wilber “Buddy” Lollis, right, started Lollis Chirstmas Tree Farm as a retirement income source. Today it is a family operation with his son Wade, left, and others.
In the Business of Christmas By Terry Ropp
The Lollis Family has been growing holiday cheer since the 1970s
Many families make selecting a holiday tree from a Christmas tree farm an annual excursion. Most, however, don’t realize the labor intensity involved in growing and creating trees in that perfect shape. While working as a meat market manager for a local grocery store, Wilber “Buddy” Lollis, now 87, of Rudy, Ark., decided he wanted a supplementary retirement income. In 1973, he purchased 117 acres in the Rudy area with 100 acres of unimproved land. Two friends from the forestry department, Ben Taylor and Paul McAllister, suggested a Christmas tree farm. Then the Lollis family went to work clearing most of the land themselves but having someone else doze and even out the land. Next, the forest department came out to teach him how to plant and maintain the trees. During that first year, 5,000 trees were planted. “The hardest part was waiting five years for the trees to have enough maturity to sell,” Wilber’s son Wade said.
10
In order to see what would work best, they experimented with different varieties. Virginia Pine turned out to be the best option because many of the other pines and firs were high altitude species that did not do well in the Arkansas environment. “As mature trees, the Virginia Pine wants to be 40-feet tall and 20-feet wide and requires year-round maintenance to achieve the treasured Christmas tree shape,” Wilber explained. Then 20 years ago, Wilber and his wife Connie saw the hybrid Leland Cypress while traveling to see family in Louisiana. The Leyland Cypress is a cross of cedar and Cypress that grows vigorously and is immune to the tip moth that plagues Virginia Pines. They also produce no pollen, thus benefiting those who suffer from allergies. Because the trees grew very well in Arkansas, the Lollis family have another variety choice at their farm, with the Leyland Cypress now accounting for 10 percent of the farm’s 9,000 trees. The pines are allowed to grow to 18 feet before they are culled. Beyond 18 feet they become hard to trim and easily suffer wind damage. Some of the culled trees and local
Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com
NOVEMBER 30, 2020
