The ‘right sort of tree’ to capture Christmas spirit

O CHRISTMAS TREE, O CHRISTMAS TREE: Hiding among the Christmas trees at the McLean family property at Muriwai are (from left) Ellie (5), Drew (11), Lachie (9) and Lexi (13). In the spirit of the festive season, the McLean family-run Fox Lane Christmas Trees are giving away 200 trees to families who cannot afford them and various organisations. Picture supplied

Pip and Don McLean have four kids, six lambs, lots of chooks and ducks, a milking cow with two calves and an old collie on their lifestyle block at Muriwai.

Oh, and 3500 Christmas trees.

In the spirit of the festive season, Fox Lane Christmas Trees will be giving away 200 trees.

The McLeans moved to the property eight years ago and it included a paddock that was previously annually cropped with corn and squash.

“I hated the trucks going past our house at all hours during harvesting, so we decided to plant Christmas trees,” Pip said.

“Now we have hundreds of cars coming up for six weeks of the year instead.

“We started planting the trees four-and-a-half years ago — 600 at first then 900 a year after that.

“Our children and friends of the family all help with planting.”

The family gets their trees from Puha Nursery.

“But we are planning to try to plant our own next year from seed.”

They prune the trees three times a year to get them to the right Christmas tree shape.

“We are only in the second year of cutting trees down for people and already this festive season we've cut a good number for keen Christmas tree lovers, and it's only early December.

“We wanted to create a fun family activity for people to select the right tree for them, something that people can enjoy together at what can be a stressful time of the year.

“And the kids can check out our chickens, lambs, calves and ducks while they are here.”

Pip and Don have been working with organisations in Gisborne to give free trees to families who cannot afford to buy one.

“We have also offered free trees to every kōhanga, daycare and kindergarten in Gisborne so kids can all see and decorate a real tree.

“This year we will be giving away about 200 to bring something special to people who need it. It's all about capturing and enjoying the Christmas spirit with the right sort of Christmas tree.”