Santa’s No 1 elf, Andrew Thorne, is busy trimming and shaping the hundreds of Minnesota pines at Puketona Christmas Tree Farm ready for people to pick up later this month ahead of the festive season. Photo / Northland Age
Santa’s No 1 elf, Andrew Thorne, is busy trimming and shaping the hundreds of Minnesota pines at Puketona Christmas Tree Farm ready for people to pick up later this month ahead of the festive season. Photo / Northland Age
It’s said that a Christmas tree is a gathering place, where memories are made and traditions are born.
And in a quiet corner of the Bay of Islands, Santa’s No 1 and No 2 elves are busily preparing to bring festive joy – and lifelong memories – to hundreds ofNorthland families at the Puketona Christmas Tree Farm.
The farm is run by Andrew Thorne and partner Deirdre MacInnes who grow thousands of Christmas trees every year to bring plenty of festive cheer to their customers. Climate conditions meant last year the couple could not provide their trees, so this year they will be back in style with several thousand Minnesota pines being carefully grown and shaped to be ready in time for Santa to deliver his presents for Christmas Day.
Thorne said the farm and its elves were looking forward to having their loyal customers back at this year’s open day – when people go along and choose their tree – this Saturday. .
Puketona Christmas Tree Farm owners Andrew Thorne and Deirdre MacInnes - Santa’s No1 and No2 helpers - are ready to welcome hundreds to their Bay of Islands property at the end of this month to pick up their Christmas trees. Photo / Northern Advocate
He said the couple, and their other little helpers, can’t wait to welcome their loyal customers, and many new ones, back again this year.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun for us, and those who come along on the day. It’s such nice feeling to have people coming back again after last year, and there’s been such a lot of interest in the return.”
Thorne said weather conditions meant last year’s crop was not ready, but the extra time will provide “perfect” trees this year.
The couple came up with the idea of growing Christmas trees more than a decade ago, when they were looking to do something different on their small farm.
“I had a job that meant going to Wellington often, and every time I went away our four cows would break through the fences. So, we thought what can we do that will keep within the fences?”
He said Deirdre loved Christmas and sowed the seed of bringing festive joy to all by growing Christmas trees.
Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree. Puketona Christmas Tree Farm will have hundreds of Northlanders attend its open day on November 29 to pick up their perfect Christmas Trees, which are thriving on the Bay of Islands farm. Photo / Northland Age
“But we didn’t know anything about growing Christmas trees, and to be honest it wasn’t as easy as we thought it would be.”
They initially planted 500 trees after some research and speaking to a Christmas tree grower elsewhere and getting some tips, but admits he did not know enough at the time and subsequent experience has taught them so much about how to get perfect Christmas trees.
And a visit to the farm earlier this year showed several thousand trees in various states of growth, meaning plenty of fantastic Christmas trees for several years to come, with the next generations of trees already started.
“We’ve got 10 years or more experience now and those early setbacks have been overcome and now we reckon we have some of the best Christmas trees there are. And the feedback we get from our customers – with many of them coming back year after year – supports that," Thorne said.
He said people may think it was just a matter of planting the trees and letting them grow, but there is far, far more work required to get them right for people’s homes.
“They require plenty of work to get them into the right shape. We’ve got to keep an eye on how they are growing to make sure they will achieve the right shape, then we have to keep shaping them, so they maintain the traditional Christmas tree shape, and we have to make sure they are healthy. The changing climate means we have to adapt as the climate adapts.
“These pines originate from California, and the humidity can lead to a fungal disease that we have to really watch out for. It’s a lot more work than we first thought but so it’s rewarding when we see the joy they bring to people.”
Thorne said the open day, when people come to pick their tree, is a very Christmassy affair, with elves helping families find the ideal tree for them, plenty of entertainment, Christmas lights, an inflatable Santa and Christmas treats and decorations.
Puketona Christmas Tree Farm has thousands of Minnesota pines growing in preparation for many Christmases to come. Photo / Mike Dinsdale
“We have grandparents bringing their grandchildren and using it as an event to get the kids to hunt for their tree.
“We get so many people coming that they are lined up well down the road ahead of the 9am opening and it’s such a happy family atmosphere. People love it and they will post photos on our Facebook page of their tree in their home all decorated.
“It’s such a good feeling to know we are bringing so much happiness to other people at that special time of year. We’re just Santa’s elves helping along the way and bringing a bit of fun to people.”
