Trees in the Hamptons

Almendinger family cares for Christmas tradition

BY TAYLOR JERDE STAFF WRITER

CANNON FALLS –The Almendinger family ships Christmas trees all across the United States and they take pride in their quality products.

In one season alone the Almendingers have seen up to 6,000 vehicles come through the gates at the Hampton Hills Farm, the 140acre site where they can grow 1,000 trees per acre.

“We just really enjoy making sure everyone has a great holiday season,” said Jordan Baker, the manager and part owner of the Hampton Hills Tree Farm.

The Almendinger family owns three tree farms around the Twin Cities, one of them being Hampton Hills. Along with the three tree farms, they also run seven pre-cut tree lots. At the chooseyour-own sites, customers have the opportunity to cut down their own tree from a variety of different trees, along with some pre-cut trees. They offer: Balsam Fir, Fraser Fir, White Pine, Scotch Pine and Norway Pine. They also have wreaths, garland, spruce tops or smaller “kid trees” available.

“We like to keep everyone happy and keep our customers happy,” Baker said.

Not only do they like to have a variety of trees to choose from, during the holiday season, they also offer food trucks, Santa visits, and horse-drawn hay rides.

PHOTOS BY TAYLOR JERDE Jordan Baker stands with a Christmas tree Dec. 1 at Hampton Hills Tree Farm. He is the manager and oversees all of the operation.

The Almendingers have grown their Christmas tree business by continuing to satisfy their customers. Baker said they enjoy hearing comments from customers so they can take it into consideration in the following year.

While the Almendingers used to offer painted trees, everything from pink or purple to blue or silver, at their farms that tradition only continues at its “Rum River Tree Farm” location.

The family began their Christmas tree business in 1964 when Jordan Baker’s grandfather, Will Almendinger, began selling pre-cut trees in the twin cities as a way to help pay for his college. The pre-cut tree lot became known as “Willy’s Wonderland,” where he sold Scotch Pine, Norway Pine and Wild Balsam trees.

Over the next decade, Will expanded “Willy’s Wonderland” to many different tree lots across the Twin Cities. He knew the Christmas tree market was a great business to be in, and he enjoyed the holiday season. He then decided to go into a partnership with his brother, Russ Almendinger, and brother-in-law, Charlie Edling. In 1973, the three of them wanted to change the name of their business; thus, Premium Quality Trees, or PQT, came to be.

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The Hampton Hills Tree Farm consists of 140 acres. They have seen up to 6,000 vehicles come through the gate with visitors arriving to cut down a tree.

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