www.towntimes.com
Volume 24, Number 24
Friday, November 23, 2018
At work: Picking a local Christmas tree By Ashley Kus Record-Journal staff
Herzig: The mature trees are typically eight to 10 years old. It takes quite awhile to harvest a marketable tree.
With the holidays just around the corner, area Christmas tree farmers are preparing for a busy season.
Q: How many trees are ready now at the farm?
According to the Connecticut Christmas Tree Growers Association, approximately 25-30 million real trees are sold in the country every year. In Connecticut alone there are over 70 farms that grow Christmas trees.
Herzig: Hopefully we will have 500 to 600 trees. Q: Does weather impact the growing process?
The Record-Journal stopped by Herzig Family Tree Farm in Durham to talk with owner Warren Herzig about picking out the perfect Christmas tree. The over 100-year old farm is one of three in Herzig Family Tree Farm, Durham. See more photos at myrecordjournal.com the Durham area. There are Ashley Kus, Record-Journal over 20 in Meriden, Wallingford, and Cheshire. Q: How does the growing Thursday and Friday afterthat way we can mow in beprocess for Christmas trees noon. tween them during the Q: What is the season like work? growing season. From eight now? Q: What kind of Christmas to 10 years the tree continHerzig: We typically start trees do you grow? ues to grow. Herzig: We typically start our with transplants now, they’re season the Friday after Herzig: We grow White Q: How old are the trees typically four-years old and Thanksgiving. We’re open Spruce, Blue Spruce and we they’re 12 to 18 inches tall. ready for cutting down and that weekend and then we’re started growing some FrasWe plant in a grid pattern bringing home? open during the week, er Firs.
Coe celebration coming to a close By Bailey Wright Town Times
This year marked the Levi E. Coe Library's 125th year of existence, and library staff celebrated by traveling back in time with several public programs. Their final program in honor of the anniversary is “The World of Rare Books” which will be held on Thursday, Nov. 29 at 6:30 p.m., thanks to a grant from the Cogin-
chaug Valley Education Foundation. Michael C. Dooling will present an overview of the rare book world and bring several examples of rare manuscripts and books. Registration is required through the library. The Levi E. Coe Library, named after prominent Meriden judge and bank owner Levi E. Coe, who donated it, was a great surprise See Coe, A2
Herzig: This year with the weather we had some good growth and on the other hand because of the weather we have some damaged trees because of the fungus. Q: Have you seen an increase or decrease in demand for real trees versus artificial Christmas trees? Herzig: We see about the same each year. We see families coming back for return visits. In fact some of the families that started in the late 80’s, now their kids are coming with their kids. See Trees, A4
Tree lightings planned The Middlefield Park and Recreation Department, Middlefield Fire Department, the Levi E. Coe Library and Harvest Woods Audio have scheduled Middlefield's annual tree lighting ceremony for Sunday, Dec. 2. A protrait of Levi E. Coe, who donated Middlefield's public library to the town in 1893, hangs in the library. The library celebrated 125 years this year. Bailey Wright, Town Times
The Levi E. Coe Library plans to be open at 4:30 p.m. for Christmas stories and crafts. The official ceremony is scheduled for 5:30 on the Town Green, where the Coginchaug Regional High School band will lead the crowd singing Christmas songs.
Santa and Mrs. Claus are expected to arrive at 6 to help light the trees for the holiday season. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available to visit with children and for photos. Refreshments will be offered in the firehouse. Durham’s tree lighting will take place Saturday, Dec. 1 on the Durham Town Green. The event begins at 4 p.m. and includes refreshments, hot chocolate, carols and a visit from Santa. — Press Release