Choose and cut your own Christmas tree: a holiday tradition for many families

Jim Bappe of Bappe's Holiday Pines Tree Farm says he and his staff have been busy making wreaths, preparing trees, and creating the perfect backdrop for making memories since they opened for the season. Coming together to choose and cut their own Christmas tree has become a favorite family tradition for many. "Most of our customers have been coming here for years. It's a great way for families to spend time together and make lasting memories," says Bappe.

The first crop of trees on the Bappe farm was planted in 1985 by Dave and Norma Bappe. The Bappes began selling their trees in 1992 and have since passed the tree farm duties on to their son Jim and his wife Cindy, along with a few of their grandchildren.

Jim Bappe says the "choose and cut your own tree" is always a popular option for their customers, but they also sell pre-cut trees that they will shake, wrap and load for customers. Frasier firs seem to be the tree of choice again this year, but Bappe has trees of every kind.

Just down the road from Bappe's Holiday Pines is Evergreen Hills Tree Farm, and a few miles out of town is Oneota Slopes Christmas Tree Farm. All three Decorah-area tree farms are open for business on the weekends until Christmas.

Bappe's Holiday Pines Tree Farm
1846 Whitetail Rd
563-382-2125

Evergreen Hills Tree Farm
1839 Whitetail Rd
563-382-3508
http://evergreenhillstrees.com

Oneota Slopes Christmas Tree Farm
2665 Lannon Hill Rd
563-382-0537
http://oneotaslopes.org/christmas_trees.htm