Visit Southern Idaho's only Christmas tree farm

Publish date: 2024-05-03

HORSESHOE BEND, Idaho (KBOI) -- The Pine Patch Farm near Horseshoe Bend is Southern Idaho's only Christmas tree farm, in business since 1975.

They started selling trees this season on Nov. 28 and by the beginning of this week they were sold out: 100 trees, gone.

Owner and operator Bruce Reay says it's supply and demand but he can't keep up with the demand.

"I see more demand for trees and the family experience," Reay said. "They've got more money, gas is cheaper. But we can't supply the trees. I feel bad about that but it takes eight years to grow a Christmas tree."

The heyday of Christmas tree farms nationally seems to have come and gone. The National Christmas Tree Association says 33 million Americans bought a real tree last Christmas, but only 14 percent went to a Christmas tree farm,

The rest bought a real tree from a chain store.

And according to the US Department of Agriculture, Christmas tree farms around the country have declined by 30 percent, while demand continues to rise.

Artifical trees have also hurt Christmas tree growers.

The future of Pine Patch Farm is far from clear.

At age 80, Bruce Reay knows he needs to think about selling, but it's not an easy choice for a man who loves trees.

"I wish I could live forever and keep doing what I'm doing," he said. "But the reality is, that's not going to happen."

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