(Continued
from About Us Page)
Paul Bittenbender many times recalled how the experts at Pennsylvania
State College (now known as Penn State University) discouraged
him from planting that first crop of trees. Maybe they were
right after all, especially with a war raging on overseas.
It would never be a profitable agricultural crop. As time
went on though, attitudes changed. Locally grown trees were
denser, fresher and boasted better needle retention than those
trees bought from Canadian growers. And the tradition began
with families realizing that an event was brewing when they
all piled into the car and went out to the farm in Mount Bethel
where the trees were growing to choose and cut their own rather
than buying it from a retailer. The same weekend every year
is marked on countless families' calendars, beginning a tradition
which now has Palmer Christmas Tree Farms celebrating over
60 years of tree farming. Paul Bittenbender has passed away,
but his dream survives along with one Scotch Pine fondly named
"General Sherman" from that first crop of trees on land where
families still begin traditions.
In 1964 Paul
Bittenbender's goal of full-time tree farming became a reality
on the Mount Bethel farm. In 1965 the business was expanded
by a second generation to include a second farm in Plainfield
Township, Pennsylvania, along Route 191. With the addition
of neighboring leased properties, acreage increased. The state
of Pennsylvania now ranks among the largest producers of evergreens
in the United States. Penn State University also has an ongoing
research program for evergreen production funded by the Pennsylvania
Christmas Tree Growers' Association.
A third and
fourth generation of the Palmer family now operates the farms
with friends helping on weekends in December to meet the needs
of families who come to the farms to choose and cut their
own trees. Cutting begins in the middle of November to harvest
the wholesale orders of trees purchased by retailers.
Douglas Fir
remains the most popular tree selected by the public to celebrate
Christmas with Fraser Fir, Blue Spruce, and White Pine close
behind. Wreaths, tree stands, tree preservative and other
retail items are also available to meet the needs of the real
tree customer.
Both farms
are open from the Friday after Thanksgiving until Christmas
Eve, 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., daily, RAIN or SHINE. Baling
is offered as a service to our customers.
No matter
which farm families choose, they will learn why, for over
60 years…Palmer Christmas Tree Farms has been the place to
be to get your tree |
