Farm History

Farm History and Operations

Pine Lake Farm became a Christmas tree farm in fulfillment of the owners' desire to live in the area of a pine forest. This seemed to not be a possibility in south central Kansas, until the decision was made to discontinue two small wheat fields and begin planting Christmas trees.

The first thousand seedlings were planted in the spring of 1978. Each succeeding year, new plantings were made, so that within a few years 7,500 pine trees filled the available acreage. By December 1984, the first trees were ready for harvest, and Pine Lake Christmas Tree Farm was launched.

Since that time, thousands of trees have enhanced the Christmas experience of happy families whose annual tradition is to select a tree from Pine Lake Farm. For every tree which is cut, a new one is planted, thus assuring a plentiful supply of fresh, fragrant, and beautiful trees from year to year. The trees grow at a rate of approximately one foot per year. Each tree is sheared annually in the summer to produce the traditional Christmas tree shape.

Pine Lake Farm is a family operation, with three generations of the family now involved during the selling season. In addition, area high school and college students are employed to serve customers. Excellent customer service is a core value of the operation, and includes cutting and cleaning trees and sales assistance in the barn. Fresh wreaths, centerpieces, and food items are also created at Pine Lake Farm and are available to enhance the Christmas experience.