As Don Tapio walked past the fir trees on his property that’s been in his family for over 100 years, he named the kind of firs he grows.
“We have Nordman Firs, Douglas Firs,” Tapio said, gently pulling at a branch as he continued to walk. “We have Noble Firs, Shasta Firs, and Fraser Firs.”
Add Norway Spruce, Blue Spruce , Grand Fir, Scotch Pine and Sequoia, giving him ten total.
On 25 acres of land just a mile west of Rochester on Highway 12, Tapio has his Christmas Valley Tree farm with row after row of beautifully manicured trees. Planting to harvesting takes 10 to 12 years.
It’s the ideal place for anyone looking for the perfect Christmas tree. Groomed trees range in size from 3 feet to 15 feet and come in ten varieties.
And on the 25th anniversary of their Christmas tree farm, Tapio is celebrating with bargain prices for freshly cut trees, starting at $15 for Douglas Fir. That includes tax.
There’s never a shortage of selections. Families satisfied with the selection and the quality return year after year.
“We pride ourselves on the fact we have a good selection,” Tapio said. “Every year we open new fields in which not a single tree has been cut.”
For those who come out at the end of November, those new areas will be, as Tapio says, “stumpless.” Every year, Tapio opens on Thanksgiving Day. From then to Christmas, he’s open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Each year, Tapio has families return to cut down a Christmas tree. It becomes a yearly tradition as mom and dad, with children in tow, walk through the trees, looking for the perfect one.
“It’s always fun to see the repeat customers each year and get an update on what they’re doing,” Tapio said. “It’s nice to see families still enjoying the holiday tradition and going out and getting a tree. That’s nice. That’s rewarding.”
The tree access is easy. A gravel road cuts through the groomed fields of trees, making it a short trip from cut to car. Tapio also supplies the bow saw for the annual cut. It’s worth the trip because you’ll get a beautiful freshly cut tree at a tremendous price.
If customers have any questions about care of the tree or the kind of tree to buy, Tapio, who is a horticulturlist, will have the answer. He’s an expert. He’ll tell you a 6- to 7-foot tree can soak up to a gallon of water a day after being put into the tree stand in the living room. It’s important the tree stand has a large enough reservoir.
“They need to check it because once that tree butt gets out of the water and seals over you can fill that reservoir, but the tree isn’t going to suck it up,” Tapio said.
And don’t worry about adding sugar or preservatives to that water.
“The best thing is just plain water,” Tapio said.
If you’re not sure what kind of tree to get, Tapio, in his friendly, easy-going manner, will give you some advice. If you want a tree that’s going to last, he says go with a Nordman.
“They’re fairly new on the market,” Tapio said. “I wouldn’t say I’m the only one who has them, but I’m opening a new field of them this year. They are recognized for the keepability and longevity.”
Noble Fir , also fairs well in “keepability,” staying green and fresh for weeks.
And if you’re worried about your child or a pet getting into the tree, Tapio has the solution – a Norway or Colorado Blue Spruce.
“They’re a little stickery,” Tapio said. “They aren’t stickery enough to hurt you. But just one climb and after that they stop.”
For the person who has gone artificial, putting up a fake tree each year, Tapio again has some friendly advice. Buy a Nordman. It’s fastidiously clean and holds it’s needles longer than any other variety.“Artificial trees get bent. They get dusty,” Tapio said. “To me there’s a little fascination or excitement that comes with a different tree every year. Plus you don’t have the fragrance ”
Farming is in Tapio’s blood. His father and his grandfather worked the land he now works, growing strawberries, raspberries and vegetables. Over the years, the Tapio family also raised dairy cattle and chickens.
“At one point, we were one of the 500 dairies in Thurston County,” the 64-year-old Tapio said. “But now we’ve transitioned into trees.”
For the past 25 years, Tapio has kept a diary, recording the day’s activities on his Christmas tree farm. He’s had people stop and buy a tree who are returning from a visit to the ocean beaches and are on their way home to either California, Minnesota or once even Florida.
Tapio remembers helping one woman buy five trees and then cut them up to mail to North Pole, Alaska. The trees had to be cut into 3-foot pieces, the maximum size allowed by Parcel Post.
“I’m trying to help her do all this and she had gotten really confused on what section was what,” Tapio said with a chuckle. “I said they were just going to have to figure it out when the trees get there. .”
For every Christmas for the past 25 years, Tapio has helped bring some Christmas cheer to families by selling them the perfect Christmas tree.
