Agriculture + Lifestyle

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

Posted on November 18, 2025 8:05 AM

In 2022 Neil Skipper and his family decided to turn their centennial farm in Macon, Georgia, established in 1912 into a Christmas tree farm. Although, we only purchase a Christmas tree one time of year, growing them is a year-round job. “People think that you just plant them, watch them grow and cut them down.” Says Skipper. 

A Christmas Tree farm starts with one-year old seedling trees that they play in January or February. Contrary to popular belief, their trees don’t grow perfectly shaped, they must help them along the way and train them to look like the classic Christmas tree. They follow a process where they trim the branches around the lead branch ensuring that the “leader” stays in the center of the tree. Skipper says by trimming the branches it slows the growth of the leaves and allows the tree to thicken in the center. 

Skipper Family Farms offers five varieties of Christmas trees: Silver Smoke, Murray Cyprus, Carolina Saphhire, Naylor Blue and Deodar Cedars. Each variety grows at a different rate, and the perfect tree takes around four years to grow. “We can grow a really nice tree that’s five to six feet in three years.” 

Skipper Family Farms opens to choose and cut your own trees on November 24, 2025. They also have several fun, family events on the books for the season. From pictures with Santa, hayrides, smores, and pictures with the Grinch, it’s sure to be a fun time for all at Skipper Family Farms. 

To find out more visit skipperfamilyfarms.com.