Christmas tree farms continue 'tradition, experience' this holiday season in Greenville

Every year, millions of Christmas trees are sold in the United States -- the tradition of cutting down a tree to put in your home to be decorated dates all the way back to the 16th Century.

For Mystic Tree Farm, selling Christmas trees is not about the sales but about the experience and making connections with those who have made it a generational tradition to visit their tree farm -- a tradition, even through the pandemic, the family never stopped.

The tree farm started out in 1983 as a horse farm that had a few Virginia Pines.

Christine Plumier, part tree farm owner and full-time teacher, said they had some visitors who wanted to buy those trees and that's when the business idea came to mind.

"It was something that we kind of just fell into and it allowed my father to retire early and be home more with us as kids," said Plumier.

Mystic Tree Farm Owner and Plumier's father, Chip Fink, said the family grew the business slowly, year by year.

Plumier said as her parents got older, they couldn't do as much and it challenged keeping the business going. However, Plumier and her brother stepped in to show they could do more to keep the family business alive.

"It's important to us and the family to keep it going," she said.

When Fink was asked how the farm competes with artificial trees, he said they offer an unmatched "experience for people to breathe fresh air, cut their own tree down, and take it home. The scent, the aroma, and the experience is what we sell here. It is organic."

"I think it's becoming a trend where people like natural better," Plumier added. "They want things that are a little different, so I think that's another thing that has boosted sales the last couple of years. The trees are real, and I think people like not perfect right now. They want something that is authentic and not perfect."

Plumier said what she loves most about the tree farm is that people continue to come out every year, some who remember her at five years old selling Pecans with her brother.

"I'm still making wreaths, which I started doing in eighth grade," she said. "My daughters are now running the cash register and helping make greenery. It's a family thing we do together throughout the year, I just really love that experience for my children, for myself, and the tradition, I don't know what I would do without it, even though it's exhausting."

Mystic Tree Farm is a family-owned and operated business that has been providing quality Christmas trees, handmade garlands, and wreaths since then. The farm is set on 30 acres of beautiful farmland, and they provide a wide variety of products that will appeal to any style or decor. The following "Christmas" trees are offered here: Carolina Sapphire, Blue Ice, Virginia Pine, White Pine, Fraser Fir, and Leyland Cypress.

The Fraser Fir is their top-selling tree and is the only one imported from North Carolina while all the other trees are planted on site and spend all year growing for sales the next year.

"They have strong, sturdy branches and last a long time," said Plumier.

"This is traditional for a lot of families," said Fink. "We have second and third generations coming. Little babies that used to come now have babies of their own, and they still come out to get a tree here. It's something they want to do and look forward to every year at Mystic Farm."

Fake versus real, what Greenville residents prefer

"We always get real," said Greenville resident India Fulkerson. "It is a fun tradition to pick out the perfect tree. We have gone to North Carolina several times and found it cheaper just to buy from the tree lots on Wade Hampton. Can't beat the fresh smell it creates -- just smells like Christmas."

Agatha Allison said she got an artificial tree for the first time ever last year and decided to go back to a real tree this year.

"For some reason, I thought it was more convenient to have artificial, but they’re heavy and cumbersome to move and pack and store," she said. "I felt like I spent a lot of time 'fluffing' the fake branches to make it look right, even though I bought one that was supposed to need minimal fluffing. Now, I’m hoping my 10-month-old giant puppy doesn’t eat it, or the lights, or the ornaments."

For Greenville resident Faith DiAngelis, an artificial tree is always their choice.

"I'm terrified of both fires from dry wood and some egg sacs of something horrible hatching inside my house," she said.

Here are some locations you can find your real Christmas trees this holiday season in Greenville County:

• Mystic Tree Farm is open for business starting Nov. 20 and located at 9029 Old White Horse Road, Greenville. Visit mystictreefarm.com for more information and hours open.

• Christmas Greenery is open for business starting Nov. 18 and located at 720 Sulphur Springs Road, Greenville. They offer a large selection of Fraser Fir trees. Visit christmasgreenery.business.site for more information and hours open.

• Greenville State Farmers Market is located at 1354 Rutherford Road, Greenville. For more information on what they offer and hours open visit their website here.

Education and Family Issues Reporter Krys Merryman can be reached at 864.420.7111 or kmerryman@greenvillenews.com. Continue the conversation or join a new one on our Education and Family Issues in Greenville Facebook page or on Twitter @krys_merryman.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Where are the best Christmas tree farms in Greenville County this year