Local News

Busy season underway for local Christmas tree farmers

KAXE | By Chelsey Perkins

Published November 27, 2023 at 2:01 PM CST

A family works to load a large Christmas tree onto a trailer Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, at High Plains Tree Farm north of Grand Rapids. The cut-your-own farm opened for the season the day after Thanksgiving.

Jim Fordham grew up on High Plains Tree Farm, started by his parents 50 years ago. He said he looks forward to reconnecting with customers he’s known for decades when the farm opens.

GRAND RAPIDS — You might be thinking about your Christmas tree for the first time this year.

But for Jim Fordham and his family, caring for the evergreens they raise at High Plains Tree Farm is part of their every day.

"It’s not uncommon to be like camping in July somewhere and put on a sweatshirt and have a handful of pine needles in the hoodie pocket," Fordham said Tuesday, Nov. 21.

Customers laugh in conversation Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, at High Plains Tree Farm north of Grand Rapids.

The farm north of Grand Rapids opened for the season Friday, offering a cut-your-own experience along with a bonfire, holiday goodies and handmade wreaths.

Fordham grew up on the farm his parents started 50 years ago and said he looks forward to the hustle and bustle of the holiday season while reconnecting with customers he’s known for decades.

"I like to be on the farm where it's quiet, you know, by myself. And you can hear the loons on the lake and the birds and — that's where I really love to be," he said.

"But it is fun come this weekend and the place is packed and busy. I do get a kick out of that."

It's been a tough year in the midst of a drought. Fordham lost all 4,000 seedlings he planted this spring, an impact that will reverberate into the future. It takes eight to 10 years for a tree to reach a marketable size.

More from KAXE

"The Setlist" and "Duluth, Gilbert, Bemidji, Aitkin" written over a crumpled paper background.

The Setlist: Where to hear live music Oct. 9-12, 2024

KAXE's weekly list of concerts features Wussow's One Week Live Festival, Mark Joseph, The Brothers Burn Mountain and MorningBird.

A book with a picture of a small village in France on the cover

Area Voices: MN author shares life lessons learned in France

Author Steve Hoffman joins “Area Voices” to discuss his memoir “A Season for That: Lost and Found in the Other Southern France,” about his family's move to a tiny French village.

A painting of a fish and a dragonfly on a sidewalk.

Bright Spot: Grand Rapids artist Lea Friesen raises storm drain awareness

Look for Lea Friesen’s paintings of fish and other creatures on sidewalks near the Mississippi River, Crystal Lake and East Rapids Elementary.

Two black bears sit in the middle of a road in Grand Marais. Some trees in the background are bare, and others have bright yellow or orange leaves.

Phenology Talkbacks: Student phenologist spots four-bear parade in Little Falls

Students and listeners from across the state send in their nature reports. Depending on the season, reports may cover wildflowers, animal behaviors, weather patterns and other wonders.

Oct. 9, 2024: 2nd active Boundary Waters Canoe Area fire prompts closure

Plus: The Cloquet River bridge in the Superior National Forest is at risk of collapse and closed until repairs are complete; four Minnesota tribes received federal funding to address violent crime and the opioid epidemic; and Minnesota is part of a new multi-state poll drawing feedback from rural voters.

Wawina Township 2024 Election Guide

Hjalmer Aho and Louie Kirkelas are running for Wawina Township Clerk.

Hibbing School Board 2024 Election Guide

Michael T. Egan, Kristine Galatz, Cassie Liubakka, Kim (Kotonias) McLaughlin and Sierra Napoli-Thein are running for I.S.D. 701, Hibbing, School Board.

Grand Rapids School Board 2024 Election Guide

Ethan Browning, David Cowan, Ashley Goodman, Thomas Gustafson, Stephanie Lipscy, Janet Awesome Miller, Larlin Neumann, Glenn J. Pearson and Brian Vroman are running for I.S.D. 318, Grand Rapids, School Board.

Detroit Lakes School Board 2024 Election Guide

Emily Bartnes, Kerry Claypool-Lambert, Gary L. Coson, Nerissa Hendrickson, Julie Smith-Yliniemi, John Steffl, Michael Walther, Susan Walther and Nancy Zehnacker are running for I.S.D. 22, Detroit Lakes, School Board. Jon Freeman and Sanford "Sandy" Nelson are running for a two-year seat on the Board.

Warroad School Board 2024 Election Guide

Cindy Drost, Jess Edgerton, Damian McMillin, Robyn Rolli, Marques A. Stricker and Stephen A. Symes are running for I.S.D. 690, Warroad, School Board.

High Plains Tree Farm owner Jim Fordham runs a Christmas tree through a machine to bale — High Plains Tree Farm owner Jim Fordham runs a Christmas tree through a baling machine Friday, Nov, 24, 2023, to make it easier to transport.

"When you have drought years like this, where everything gets wiped out, it's like that sets you back an entire year. It's not something we can recoup immediately next year. You know, it's going to hurt," he said.

The number of cut-your-own tree farms in the state is dwindling, and Fordham said he sees people traveling 100 miles or more to shop.

Handmade wreaths are on display Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, at High Plains Tree Farm north of Grand Rapids.

But Fordham said there are still plenty of trees to choose from at High Plains, and he and his wife Sarah are continuing to add to the holiday experience as a hobby on top of their full-time jobs.

"Right now, the market's definitely there," he said. "It's definitely people looking for real trees People want the experience, take the family out and spend a couple hours walking around, so we're excited for the future."

Find High Plains Tree Farm on Facebook for hours and more information.