Another Type of Tree to Select

This year, Kaleidoscope Farms has a new type of Christmas tree for long-time customers to consider – the Norway Spruce.
The Norway Spruce trees have short, sharp spruce needle and a graceful form that many find appealing in a Christmas tree.
“Norway Spruces are not what most people think of as Christmas trees, but they do offer a little different look that many people really like,” said Dave Reese, owner of Kaleidoscope Farms in Mt. Cory. “They are also fragrant and have plenty of branches for holding ornaments. I am excited to see how customers respond this year to the Norway Spruce.”
This will be the second year the Norway Spruce is available at the farm, though last year there were only a very limited few of saleable size. This year there are many more available for customers to consider.
“They are beautiful,” Reese said. “They have a dark green blue color and strong branches that are great for holding heavy ornaments.”
Along with the Norway Spruce, customers will be able to choose from a large new block of Canaan fir, a perennial favorite on the farm.
“The Canaan fair are more popular every year and this year’s crop looks great,” Reese said. “We try to offer our customers something a little different each year. It will be interesting to see how they react to the Norway Spruce.”

Buying local Christmas trees supports the economy

The value and quality of locally produced food has re-inspired many Ohioans to purchase Ohio grown food in recent years. After all, locally produced products offer high quality, the chance to meet the producer and the opportunity to support the local economy. Christmas trees are no exception.
“When you buy a Christmas tree from an Ohio farm, you are supporting the Ohio economy and a hard working Ohio farm family,” said Dave Reese, president of the Ohio Christmas Tree Association. “And you definitely know where the tree came from. You may even get to cut it down yourself. That is a far cry from going to the mall to purchase an artificial tree imported from China.”
In 2009, consumers in the U.S. purchased 28.2 million farm-grown Christmas trees, spending an average of $40.92 that is going back into the local economy. The Choose and Cut segment of the Christmas tree industry in particular has been strong in recent years, with 32 percent of Christmas trees being purchased directly from farms.
“People just love the opportunity to go visit a farm where they can search for that perfect tree while spending time with their family,” Reese said. “That is an important reason many Christmas tree growers do what they do — provide a fun family activity that everyone can enjoy. And, in doing so, those families can support a local business.”
In 2009, the retail value of Christmas trees sold in the U.S. was $1.15 billion.
“That money is going to American Christmas tree farmers instead of supporting the people who bring you petroleum, chemicals and plastic trees from somewhere overseas,” Reese said. “Buying real trees keeps your money right here at home and offers a fun, low-cost experience for your family during this special time of year.”
For more information, visit www.kaleidoscopefarms.com/ or contact Reese at 419-722-1154.

Celebrate 500 Years with Kaleidoscope Farms

Little is known about the first decorated Christmas tree in Riga, Latvia, other than the tree was placed in the public marketplace and decorated by members of a merchants guild to honor the birth of Christ. A ceremony was held and the tree was burnt at its conclusion.
The year of that first decorated Christmas tree was 1510, 500 years ago. A plaque now marks the spot where the first Christmas tree stood. This year, Christmas tree growers from around the world are commemorating the 500 years of the beloved holiday tradition.
“Christmas tree growers from Ohio are proud to be a small part of this long and cherished Christmas tradition,” said Dave Reese, owner of Kaleidoscope Farms in Hancock County. “Many of the Christmas tree farms in the state will being doing special activities and promotions to commemorate this occasion. It is not every year you get to be a part of a 500-year anniversary.”
At the National Christmas Tree Convention, held in North Carolina last August, trees were on display to demonstrate the various styles of decoration through each century of the Christmas tree. In addition, a special ceremony will be held at the site of the world’s first decorated Christmas tree this season.
Kaleidoscope Farms will be celebrating the event in a number of ways.
“We have a number of items in our gift shop that will help people celebrate 500 years of Christmas trees,” Reese said. “We have a scavenger hunt this year highlighting 500 years of Christmas trees.
We have a number of commemorative cards and ornaments featuring the original artwork of Jesse Barnes and J. Wecker Frisch and we will be honoring the buyer of the 500th Christmas tree we sell this year.”
The gift shop at the farm will be offering significantly expanded new merchandise offerings including home décor, fresh greenery and Christmas gifts. The gift shop will be opening at 8 a.m. the day after Thanksgiving for shoppers to get an early start.
“We wanted to add to the great experience at Kaleidoscope Farms by offering our customers more to choose from in the gift shop than we ever have before,” Reese said. “Whatever your plans for the Christmas season, take the opportunity to visit a tree farm to get a real tree to celebrate the season, support your local economy, benefit the environment, and participate in 500 years of this great holiday tradition.”
For more visit kaleidoscopefarms.com
Contact Reese with questions at 419-722-1154.

Operation Evergreen This Sunday November 7th at 2pm

American patriotism, agriculture and Christmas spirit will all be present on Sunday Nov. 7 at 2:00 p.m. when Kaleidoscope Farms once again holds a ceremony to honor veterans while serving those who serve their country.
Through the Ohio Christmas Tree Association’s Operation Evergreen Program, local veterans will gather at the farm to pick out Christmas trees that will be shipped to troops overseas for their holidays spent far from home and their loved ones. The local Marine Color Guard, elected officials and area veterans groups have been invited to attend the event.

“This program is so special because it gives us a chance to give just a little to those who are giving so much to us through their service to our country,” said Dave Reese, owner of Kaleidoscope Farms and president of the Ohio Christmas Tree Association. “We hear back from troops every year telling us that they really appreciate what we’re doing for them. It is very hard to be away from their families over Christmas, and any little reminder of home is very important to them.”

Also at the farm will be students from Bluffton and Cory-Rawson Schools and representatives from Kiwanis Village in Tiffin who made decorations to send with the trees. Once the veterans select the Christmas trees for harvest from Kaleidoscope Farms and other farms around the state, they are delivered to the Ohio Department of Agriculture for inspection and then shipped to U.S. military posts around the world. Operation Evergreen was developed by Ohio Christmas Tree Association members in 1995 to bring Christmas cheer to military units serving overseas. This year Kaleidoscope Farms will be sending four of the more than 300 Ohio Christmas trees to troops.

For more information about the event or the Operation Evergreen program, contact Reese at 419-722-1154.