Carol Brydge represents Augusta County with notable Norway Spruce tree put on display

Matthew Sokol, Staunton News Leader
·2 min read
The Norway Spruce tree selected for Charlottesville's Grand Illumination lit up by the Downtown Mall in Charlottesville.
The Norway Spruce tree selected for Charlottesville's Grand Illumination lit up by the Downtown Mall in Charlottesville.

CHARLOTTESVILLE — The joy of the holiday season is in full bloom and continues to grow for Carol and Bob Brydge.

The Norway Spruce tree from their Augusta County farm was selected for Charlottesville's Grand Illumination this month.

Carol enjoyed going through the selection process through the city of Charlottesville.

"We were told that the City of Charlottesville was looking for a large tree each year for its Grand Illumination," Brydge said. "It had been suggested to us to submit pictures of our trees for consideration. The Parks and Recreation department of Charlottesville visited our small farm, viewed the trees and tagged a couple of interest for consideration."

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Before they knew it, their tree was selected during the process for voting.

Achieving this great accomplishment didn't just happen in a month, it takes many years of dedication.

Bob and Carol Brydge started growing Christmas trees in the 1980's. Now in 2021, their tree was picked for Charlottesville's Grand Illumination.
Bob and Carol Brydge started growing Christmas trees in the 1980's. Now in 2021, their tree was picked for Charlottesville's Grand Illumination.

Dedicating time to a good cause

In the 1980s, the Brydge family started planting Christmas trees for harvest. Everything took off from that point forward.

"Over a span of about five years we planted 10,000 trees (Scotch, Pine and Norway Spruce)," Brydge said. "Around the year 2000, we ceased the Christmas Tree Farm activity and allowed the remaining trees in our fields to grow naturally."

Brydge noted even though they don't technically run a farm, they do utilize their land to grow Christmas trees for a number of years.

The Norway Spruce tree was picked this year to be displayed at Charlottesville's Grand Illumination.
The Norway Spruce tree was picked this year to be displayed at Charlottesville's Grand Illumination.

As a good friend of the Brydge family, Shelby Higgs is proud of their accomplishments.

Higgs noted that she has known Carol and Bob since they opened Barren Ridge Vineyards in Fisherville in 2008.

"I think it’s nice that one of their trees is representing Augusta County," Higgs said. "She has served the county well."

— Matthew Sokol (he/him) is a journalist with The News Leader. Story ideas? I want to hear them. Please email me at msokol@gannett.com or follow me on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Augusta County tree owners recognized in Charlottesville's Grand Illumination