SIX NATIONS – Those looking for a natural Christmas tree need not travel outside the community to conduct their search this year.
Kayanase Greenhouse on Highway 54 began selling balsam fir trees at the start of the month, just in time for the holidays. The 5 to 7 feet high, $40 trees are from a northern nursery and are pre-cut, wrapped and secured within cold storage to ensure longevity and to protect the branches.
However, for those wanting to purchase a live tree to later plant in the springtime, Kayanase also provides the option of purchasing a young white pine tree for $20. Operations Manager Cathy Smith marveled at how soft the balsam fir trees were, as she herself took one home.
“They’re really soft, I could not get over how soft they are,” said Smith. “I took one home this weekend and it lost some needles, but not as many as I would have expected,” she said.
“My husband and I have never in our life bought a pre-cut tree, never. So when we came here and got it, it was like ‘oh my gosh, I can’t believe we’re buying a pre-cut tree,’” she said with a laugh. “This is our first year ever and we’re hoping for more, but we’re just seeing how this year goes.
This is also the first time Kayanase has ever really done anything like this,” said Smith, adding that the smell of the trees is pleasing. “Every tree we’ve opened is perfect.” One of Kayanase’s workers, Pete VanDalen explained that the business of selling and growing the tress is a very lengthy process. “It does take a lot of time,” said VanDalen, as he estimated it would take about ten years to reach maturity.
“Some of those [smaller] pines out in the five gallons are probably three to five years at least, so it takes a lot of time to grow,” he said, noting that the height of the white pines is slightly over two feet. Kayanase environmentalist Dan Werner explained that selling the Christmas trees was also a move to promote business. “We’re trying to get more business, and we were talking about it last year, but never did it,” said Werner.
“So, we just decided to do it this year to provide the trees for anyone that wants to buy one, and at the same time advertise our business as well,” he said, explaining that the smaller white pines are also grown for retail.
The balsam firs will be available for those interested until Tuesday December 22, and are available at Kayanase’s building at 993 Highway #54.
