Day Trips
By Gerald E. McLeod, Fri., Dec. 15, 2000
Burnett's Christmas Tree Farm outside of Salado is at the end of a great drive into the country. Nothing says the holiday season like taking the family out to a farm on a brisk day, drinking some hot chocolate, warming your buns over an open fire, and returning home with a Christmas tree strapped to the top of the car like a trophy buck from a great hunting expedition.
"Nobody remembers going to Wal-Mart to get a Christmas tree," says Mavolyne Burnett, "but you never forget taking the family out to the tree farm." Be careful, though. That's how the Burnetts got into the tree business. After raising three children on Christmas visits to tree farms, it was only natural that when they went looking for an agricultural investment venture they looked at Christmas tree farms.
Peter Burnett was born in England during World War II and raised in New Jersey. After the Army sent him to Texas for training he fell in love with the state and with Mavolyne, a country girl from the Panhandle. A graduate of the University of Texas, when he retired from the military in 1995, the Burnetts decided to settle in Central Texas.
Mavolyne says they knew the rolling hills west of Salado were the right place for them the first time they visited. The barn that was once the office for a construction company and is now a Christmas store has a distinctive Old West look. "The original plan was to plant six acres of tomatoes," she says. "The problem with that was my husband doesn't garden."
Peter has become a pretty good pine tree wrangler since they planted the first seedlings in 1996. The trees have to be shaped, watered, and fed year-round. Miles of black plastic tubes irrigate the 10 acres planted in neat rows. The thirsty trees have gone through a growth spurt since the wet weather of this fall. "We worry more about too much rain, not too little," Mavolyne says.
This is the second year that the Burnetts have been open, and already they seem to be enjoying the pleasures of being Santa's helpers. "It's a lot of work, but a lot of fun," Mavolyne says. On a typical weekend, Peter is helping customers, loading trees on cars, and sometimes taking visitors on hayrides. Mavolyne seems to be everywhere.
The Christmas tree farm is still a family affair for the Burnetts. The three children come from Richardson, Corpus Christi, and San Antonio to help out. Mavolyne's aunt and uncle from Georgetown run the store while everybody is working outside. Even Peter's brother and his wife come from Florida to help on the farm during the busiest weekends.
Burnett's Christmas Tree Farm is north of Salado. To get there from Austin, take I-35 to FM 2484 (exit 286), go west two miles to Sam-Neil Lane and the farm headquarters. Along with the fields of trees in various sizes up to about eight feet tall, the Burnetts sell Christmas arts & crafts, potted trees, fresh wreaths, and pre-cut Fraser firs from North Carolina. While you're there, enjoy jumping on the haystack, the swing, and free hot chocolate and coffee. The farm is open daily until Dec. 23. For more information, call 254/947-4477.
The Afghan pine trees that many Central Texas tree farms grow are desert natives, but the drought seems to have produced a skinnier tree than in past years. Before making a long drive, call the farm to see what is available. Other Christmas tree farms in the Austin area are:
Evergreen Farms Christmas Trees two miles west of Elgin off of U.S. 290 has provided the governor's tree for two years. They grow Virginia pine and have potted Afghan pine and Leyland cypress trees. Open Tuesday-Friday noon-dark and Saturday and Sunday 9am-dark, they can be reached at 512/281-4833 or www.evergreen-farms.com.
Fritsche's Farm four miles north of Giddings off U.S. 77 has Virginia pines up to 10 feet tall along with Leyland cypress and pre-cut Fraser fir. They're open Monday-Friday 3-6pm, Saturday 9am-6pm, and Sunday 1-6pm. They can be reached at 979/542-3452 or www.bluebon.net/fritsche.
Loma Alta Christmas Tree Farm is 5.5 miles east of Bastrop off of TX 71. This is one of the oldest and prettiest tree farms in the area. They grow Virginia pine and native Loblolly pines and have potted trees. Frederick and Betty Nyc open their farm daily 9am-5:30pm. For information, call 512/360-2005.
Nature's Way Christmas Tree Farm east of Elgin opened in 1987 and they've been doing it right ever since. Begun as a retirement project for owner Bill Walton, the farm is very picturesque with a good selection of Virginia pine, Leyland cypress, and pre-cut Fraser fir. The farm opens daily noon-5pm and Saturday 10am-5:30pm. The Waltons can be reached at 512/281-5016 or www.alpha1.net/~nwtreefarm.
Seiler Christmas Tree Farm south of Seguin off of TX 123 at Jakes Colony Road has some of the prettiest trees and best prices in Central Texas, but they're about an hour from Austin. They grow Virginia pines, Leyland cypress, and the long-leaf Loblolly pine. Open daily through Dec.23, 9am-6pm, they can be reached at 830/379-3468.
The Lit'l Christmas Tree Farm and Nursery is outside of Cedar Park off of FM1431, west of U.S. 183 to Nameless Road. This year's crop of Afghan pines sells for $3 per foot. They also have potted plants. For information, call 512/267-3539.
There are more than 100 commercial Christmas tree growers around the state growing more than 100,000 trees. That's a lot of family traditions. While the trees tend to be more expensive than the grocery store variety, the added value of the experience makes them worth it.
Shopping at a local tree farm not only helps area farmers, but an acre of Christmas trees can produce enough oxygen for 18 people plus provide shelter for birds and animals. Once you get the tree home it stays fresh longer and fills the house with that seasonal pine smell. For more information on the tree business, check out the Texas Christmas Tree Growers Association's Web site at www.texaschristmastrees.com.
