GREENFIELD – Whether you’re looking for a quiet farm to cut down your own Christmas tree, or a family experience complete with a nighttime train ride and Santa, Hancock County’s pine tree businesses are ready.
Mid-November marks the start of the bustling but short season for local farms that Christmas trees. With the trend to purchase live trees on the upswing for local families, farmers are offer experiences complete with holiday cheer.
Here‘s a look at what’s new, and what to expect at each farm.
-Piney Acres: Glimmer Lights is the newest attraction for Hancock County’s largest Christmas tree business, Piney Acres Farm.
The new experience is described as a “magical 20-minute train ride to the North Pole” where guests aboard the Piney Acres Express can enjoy a cup of hot cocoa, holiday cookie and several lighted displays from Nov. 8-Jan. 4.
Owner Rex Zenor says there will be more than 20 lighted exhibits, along with three Biblical scenes. Expect a mixture of whimsy, snowflakes and Santa while riding a small train on tires.
Piney Acres is 73 acres with than 30,000 trees. The farm, located at 1115 E. 1000N., Fortville, launched in 1999. It features Santa most weekends after Thanksgiving; a concession area and a holiday shop.
“Lights are becoming almost magical, and that’s a part of it,” Zenor said about the holiday season. “The more that I can do to make life a little happier for stressed out families that we all know everybody is — that’s my goal.”
It’s $15 to ride the train, which is presented by Gateway Hancock Health. Tickets must be bought online in advance through a timed ticket. People may simply walk the lighted route for $10.
“For me, the farm is all about creating memories for families,” he said in a press release. “I always thought having my own train would be the cat’s meow! I’m living my childhood dreams and getting to share it with our guests and that’s so very neat!”
Choose-and-cut Christmas trees are available seven days a week starting Nov. 23. The farm is also open for the weekend only Nov. 16-17 for those who want a tree early, or guests can also tag a tree and cut it down later. Visit pineyacresfarm.com for times details, or call (317) 326-1700 to set up a time to tag a tree.
–Sambol’s Tree Farm: Founded in 2008, Sambol’s Tree Farm is ready to sell its largest crop of Christmas trees this year.
Owner Lance Sambol says it takes seven years to prepare a tree for sale, so when he bought 18 acres of corn field it’s taken a while to see the fruits of his labor. There are 12,000 trees on the property, and this year about 1,500 of them are ready for this Christmas season.
“I started increasing my plantings about five years ago and it’s nice to be able to send out the invitation to people knowing you’re not going to be closing early,” he said. “And now I can sustain this growing forward. I’m planting 2,000 trees a year, which on my farm is a lot.”
The farm sells primarily Canaan Firs, with a few Concolor as well. Pre-cut trees from Michigan and North Carolina are also available, including Frasier Fir.
Farm features include a store with locally-sourced gift items, concessions with a holiday-themed menu and a free candy cane for shoppers.
Since the weekend after Thanksgiving is so busy, Sambol’s requires online reservations. Time slots allow for better parking, traffic flow and customer service along the farm at 7783 N. Ind. 9, Fortville. Make an online appointments starting Nov. 15 at sambolstreefarm.com. Opening weekend for pre-cut trees is Nov. 23-24. The choose-and-cut trees open Nov 29.
–Lost Forty Tree Farm: Explore 9,000 trees in a family business that’s been growing for four decades.
Lost Forty Tree Farm is in its third generation of operations. Part-owner Nathan Wendt says they offer several varieties of fir, pine, and spruce.
Lost Forty opens on Thanksgiving Day, and they sell about 70% of inventory that weekend.
“We grow mainly fir, and we’ve had people come out and get fir trees Thanksgiving weekend and they don’t take them down until the end of February; if they’re properly cared for,” he said. “As long as you keep good water to them—check every day and water every couple of days.”
Wendt said Lost Forty is special for its laid-back vibe, with a scenic drive through the woods to get to the property at 4499 N. 400E., Greenfield. All trees are home-grown and must be cut on site. Families enjoy exploring the peaceful acres, and simply getting a hot chocolate and candy cane in the end. Santa will be available the two busiest weekends. For more, visit lostfortytreefarm.com.
