After hiking through the woods, sipping hot chocolate and roasting chestnuts on an open fire, many visitors to Leo’s Tree Farm develop a warm holiday glow, in spite of the cold. Some of them don’t even purchase a tree. And that suits Leo just fine. Read the entire article below or in Relish Elgin Holiday 2015 |
Recently, as the busy harvest season was winding down, Leo de Wit chatted about his farm and led us along some of the trails he proudly shares with the public during the month of December.
Leo planted 7,000 trees on his farm in 1985 because he likes them. He also wanted to forge a connection between rural and urban life by giving people a reason to visit a farm, so in 1996 he opened Leo’s Tree Farm. Since then, visitors have come to appreciate an experience which provides reasons for visiting well beyond that of just finding the “perfect” tree.
The de Wits’ farm and home are set against woodlots of deciduous trees along with bush lots of the conifers destined for Christmas festivities. Visitors are welcome to trek back through the woods in search of their tree, or to just enjoy the fresh air and a country walk in the woods.
Leo planted 7,000 trees on his farm in 1985 because he likes them. He also wanted to forge a connection between rural and urban life by giving people a reason to visit a farm, so in 1996 he opened Leo’s Tree Farm. Since then, visitors have come to appreciate an experience which provides reasons for visiting well beyond that of just finding the “perfect” tree.
The de Wits’ farm and home are set against woodlots of deciduous trees along with bush lots of the conifers destined for Christmas festivities. Visitors are welcome to trek back through the woods in search of their tree, or to just enjoy the fresh air and a country walk in the woods.
Many people stop to admire or have a photo taken beside the Native Trail Marker Tree. The de Wit family had always admired the sugar maple’s massive beauty, although they hadn’t been aware of the reason for its unique formation until recently. In the summer of 2013, a forester walking their bush recognized it as a Native Trail Marker Tree. These were created when a sapling was bent over and its leader tied or weighed down; later lateral branches except one or two were removed. Surviving examples are rare. Leo notes, “It’s on a historic river to lake trail and points toward Brock’s Creek. It was likely created about 300 years ago, so is probably one of the oldest man-made parts of history in the area!” Those who are on the hunt for just the right Christmas tree can select from pre-cuts or go out to one of the bush lots to cut their own. There are several varieties to choose from – the farm’s website describes the unique characteristics of each. There’s Fraser fir (with soft needles that don’t fall off), blue spruce (one of the most popular for its beautiful blue tinge), |
white pine (considered by many to be the most beautiful), Scotch pine (a well-wearing choice), white spruce (with slender branches; needs lots of watering), and concolour fir (easy to decorate and doesn’t drop its needles).
Leo says “The most popular tree used to be spruce, then it was pine and now it’s Fraser fir. They make up 90% of what I plant.” He remembers a few years ago when Martha Stewart’s magazine had a white pine tree on the cover. “Everybody came looking for white pine.” He grins, “We don’t grow a lot of white pine. It takes eight years to grow one – you can’t be in a hurry with trees.”
The trees available range from small to stately 15’ specimens suitable for a room with a cathedral ceiling. You can cut your own or Leo’s helpers are happy to cut your selection for you. They will also retrieve it with a four-wheeler, although Leo says, “Some people are quite possessive of their tree and prefer to drag it out of the bush themselves.”
Leo says “The most popular tree used to be spruce, then it was pine and now it’s Fraser fir. They make up 90% of what I plant.” He remembers a few years ago when Martha Stewart’s magazine had a white pine tree on the cover. “Everybody came looking for white pine.” He grins, “We don’t grow a lot of white pine. It takes eight years to grow one – you can’t be in a hurry with trees.”
The trees available range from small to stately 15’ specimens suitable for a room with a cathedral ceiling. You can cut your own or Leo’s helpers are happy to cut your selection for you. They will also retrieve it with a four-wheeler, although Leo says, “Some people are quite possessive of their tree and prefer to drag it out of the bush themselves.”
Of course dragging the tree from the woods would help build your anticipation for a steaming cup of hot chocolate. A warming reward for all your hard work awaits you at the rustic shack, complete with woodstove, chairs and a big urn of hot chocolate.
And then there are the chestnuts – many more people have sung about “chestnuts roasting on an open fire” than have actually had the experience (or enjoyed the nutty, sweet flavour). Leo’s 1 ½ acres of chestnut trees yield the nuts which Leo gathers, hulls and offers along with a fire for roasting.
A variety of fragrant greens for creating your own garlands is also provided, spread out on long tables. It’s a great opportunity for the creative and crafty to pick out a custom selection of greens at a reasonable price.
The farm is open from December 1st to 24th, but ensuring a supply of nicely shaped trees in a variety of sizes for that month requires work throughout the year. Students are hired to help plant new trees (mostly from seedlings). About 80% of trees planted will survive to Christmas tree size and suitability over several years. Dead trees and stumps need to be removed. Each of the 10,000 trees requires pruning, mostly with a machete which Leo demonstrates with skill and surprising speed. “You have to be careful not to over-prune – you want a tree that looks nice but still natural, not too perfect or it will look like an artificial tree.”
And then there are the chestnuts – many more people have sung about “chestnuts roasting on an open fire” than have actually had the experience (or enjoyed the nutty, sweet flavour). Leo’s 1 ½ acres of chestnut trees yield the nuts which Leo gathers, hulls and offers along with a fire for roasting.
A variety of fragrant greens for creating your own garlands is also provided, spread out on long tables. It’s a great opportunity for the creative and crafty to pick out a custom selection of greens at a reasonable price.
The farm is open from December 1st to 24th, but ensuring a supply of nicely shaped trees in a variety of sizes for that month requires work throughout the year. Students are hired to help plant new trees (mostly from seedlings). About 80% of trees planted will survive to Christmas tree size and suitability over several years. Dead trees and stumps need to be removed. Each of the 10,000 trees requires pruning, mostly with a machete which Leo demonstrates with skill and surprising speed. “You have to be careful not to over-prune – you want a tree that looks nice but still natural, not too perfect or it will look like an artificial tree.”
Reaping the fruit of the chestnut trees entails a harvest-time competition with the deer. Says Leo, “They love the taste – you have to get the chestnuts off the ground promptly, before the deer do.” Over the last couple of winters deer have also caused considerable damage to many of the Christmas trees by eating the shoots. “That is unusual,” says Leo, “but with the severe winters, the deer were desperate for food.”
Locals, urbanites and outdoor lovers visit the farm and generally spend at least an hour there. Relatives of one family come from Chatham, London and St. Thomas and meet at the farm to visit and enjoy time together. Many families with university students show up in the latter half of December after school breaks for vacation. The “kids” insist that the family wait till they get home to get the tree so that they can be included in the traditional trip to Leo’s.
Leo believes that until the last few decades, many urban dwellers had reason to visit a farm as they weren’t too far removed from family or friends who lived on one. But those ties and opportunities are rapidly disappearing and, with them, the feeling of connection between rural and urban people. A visit to his Elgin County farm provides a perfect way to get in the Christmas spirit, create memories, share traditions and reconnect to the local rural area. (Oh yes, and you might just find your perfect tree).
The de Wit family farm includes Leo, his wife Anneke and daughters Sarah & Emma. The operation includes cash crop (corn and soy beans) along with chestnut trees, Christmas trees and three solar systems. The Tree Farm is open December 1st to 24th, 9am-9pm, located at 24483 Silverclay Line, West Lorne. To find out more visit www.leostreefarm.com or call 519-768-2741.
Locals, urbanites and outdoor lovers visit the farm and generally spend at least an hour there. Relatives of one family come from Chatham, London and St. Thomas and meet at the farm to visit and enjoy time together. Many families with university students show up in the latter half of December after school breaks for vacation. The “kids” insist that the family wait till they get home to get the tree so that they can be included in the traditional trip to Leo’s.
Leo believes that until the last few decades, many urban dwellers had reason to visit a farm as they weren’t too far removed from family or friends who lived on one. But those ties and opportunities are rapidly disappearing and, with them, the feeling of connection between rural and urban people. A visit to his Elgin County farm provides a perfect way to get in the Christmas spirit, create memories, share traditions and reconnect to the local rural area. (Oh yes, and you might just find your perfect tree).
The de Wit family farm includes Leo, his wife Anneke and daughters Sarah & Emma. The operation includes cash crop (corn and soy beans) along with chestnut trees, Christmas trees and three solar systems. The Tree Farm is open December 1st to 24th, 9am-9pm, located at 24483 Silverclay Line, West Lorne. To find out more visit www.leostreefarm.com or call 519-768-2741.
Photos courtesy of Leo's Tree Farm.