ANGIE, La. — Oh, Christmas tree — oh, Christmas tree — how lovely are your branches!
See for yourself at the Easterling Christmas Tree Farm in Angie.
Five years ago, Keith and Kim Easterling began a journey that would transform their Washington Parish property into a family business.
"We got the property and were trying to figure out what we could get a return on the property and Kim came up with the idea of doing a Christmas tree farm," Keith Easterling said. "That's where we started."
The farm is truly a family effort.
"These are our best helpers, our family," Kim Easterling explained. "We all contribute a little bit to planting and to take care of the trees each year."
Weather conditions have tested Louisiana Christmas tree growers. Last year's drought was particularly challenging, with the Easterlings losing 1,500 trees.
"I'm not real sure how everybody else did during the drought. I know everybody lost trees. We lost a lot," Keith Easterling said.
The Easterlings planted new trees to replace their losses and installed 18,000 feet of irrigation to protect future crops. Kim Easterling finds beauty in their hard work.
"Just to look out the back window and see the trees out here, it's beautiful," she said.
The farm is preparing to open for the season on Thanksgiving Day, offering visitors three different tree varieties. "Got plenty of trees to sell. We have the Carolina Sapphires, the Leylands, and Murrays," Keith said.
For the Easterlings, it's about spreading Christmas joy, one tree at a time.
"Take it home. Decorate it up. Have a fresh scent of a real tree in your house. That's what makes a difference. That's just Christmas," Keith said.
According to the Easterlings, the most popular tree size is around 8 feet tall, with Murray Cypress being their top seller last year
The Easterling Christmas Tree Farm is located at 64415 Travis Thomas Road in Angie.
Here is a link to their Facebook page.
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