How do the trees look?  Were they affected by the drought?

The Virginia pines that we grow at the farm are a very hardy species.  We did lose a few trees and had to remove them from the field, but the vast majority did fine and look great.  We did not get as much growth on the trees this year due to the lack of water, so we will not have as many very large trees as in past years.

The results were more bleak for the seedlings we planted in January, and we lost over 75% of them.  We hope that we get enough rain by January to soften the ground so that we can replace those in addition to the ones we would normally be planting.  We are looking into irrigation!

What do I need to bring?

A camera and your family!  We provide saws, measuring sticks, and twine to tie the tree on your car.  Some people like to bring something like a garbage bag or a sheet to lie on while sawing the trunk of the tree.

How should we dress?
You'll want to wear closed toe shoes for sure, and probably long pants.  If it's been raining, it could be muddy out in the tree field, so keep that in mind.

Do you charge for admission?
No.   There is no charge for admission, but the Holiday Acres facilities are exclusively for the use of our tree customers and weekday field trip groups.

Do you have plenty of trees?
We have over 1,000 trees that are 6 ft. and above.

Do you have any 10 ft. trees?  
We do not have very many trees taller than 8 ft.

Can we still come if it's near closing time?
Yes, as long as you arrive no later than 5 p.m.  There is no lighting in the tree field, and if you arrive after that, you would likely not have time to get a tree picked out, cut down, transported, baled, and on your car before dark.

Do you have food available for purchase?
We have candy, soft drinks, and bottled water.  Feel free bring marshmallows to roast over the campfire.  We have roasting sticks available for sale if you need those.

Can we bring our own lunch?
Yes.  We have picnic tables and hope you will relax and enjoy your time here.

Can we bring our pets?
Dogs on a leash are welcome at the farm.  Jake the petting dog (a neutered male) will sometimes be roaming freely.  He is 12 years old and a chicken, so he will not hurt your dogs or your children. :-)

Do you have Santa?
No, we don't.  We want our farm to have the atmosphere of a country Christmas and so we try to keep things simple.

If it's raining, will you be open?
Yes, we will always be here during our business hours (Th-F-Sat 9-5), but if there is lightning, we cannot allow customers to go out into the field.

How can we pay?
Cash, checks, and any credit card.  We cannot process debit only cards.

Are there any extra charges?
No. Shaking and baling are provided at no charge.  Tree preservatives,  biodegradable tree disposal bags, and tree stands are available for purchase.

Can we bring a group?
For information on group reservations, please see our field trip page for more info and email us at info@theholidayacres.com to make a reservation.  

Groups (including birthday parties, non-profit groups, or other organizations) cannot be accomodated on Saturdays.  We have a limited number of picnic tables and hay wagons, and they are for the use of our tree customers only.