A family Christmas tree farm with no expertise? Williamson couple takes a chance to 'create an experience’
The Faircloths were driving back to Tennessee when the discussion again turned to Christmas trees.
Not a tree for their home. Or a debate about real or fake.
The talk was about hundreds of trees. Grown on their farm. A farm they didn’t actually own or even knew existed yet.
Jamie and Laura Faircoth own Pinewood Christmas Tree Farm in Williamson County. They don’t come from an agricultural lineage, and they didn't inherit land. But the Faircloths were determined to create a joyful place where they could help others.
“We really wanted to own this farm not only for ourselves. But also for a place for families and people to come and enjoy it,” Jamie Faircoth said.
An unexpected farm
The Faircloths, Nashville residents at the time, were returning from Jamie’s native North Carolina — the state of Fraser Fir trees — when the first symbolic seeds of their new venture were planted.
The couple, self-described "pantsters” who operate off spur-of-the-moment instinct, had for years discussed starting a Christmas tree farm in Middle Tennessee. The inspiration was Laura Faircoth’s nostalgia for the real trees her Kentucky family cut down in nearby Indiana during the holidays. She remembers the pine smell and "turning the tree in endless circles while we all voted on which was the best side to face out.” And getting sap on her hands while reaching deep to hang lights.
The goal was about 20 acres. Williamson County was initially not an option due to the high land value.
Still, Laura took a chance with an online search during their drive back to Tennessee. And, there it was, on South Harpeth Road in Primm Springs.
“It was in our price range, so of course our first thought was, ‘What's wrong with it?’ Laura said.
Rolling hills. A creek. And Interstate 840 on the property’s border.
“This would deter most,” Laura Faircloth said, "but not a family looking to plant Christmas trees."
Two years, hundreds of dead trees
The couple, who’ve been married since 2004 and have two adopted children, bought the 15-acre site property in 2015. The next year, they planted their first 500 pine trees.
They learned the hard way that October is usually hot and dry in the area.
"It didn’t rain for a month straight," Laura Faircloth said.
They lost all 500 trees.
They planted more in the spring of 2017, using pots in a nursery for daily watering. The trees thrived for a few months, but then winter came — only five of those 500 trees survived.
The next go around, they prepped the field and had more first-hand experience.
Jamie Faircloth volunteered at Country Cove Christmas Tree Farm in Murfreesboro.
“That helped me learn some of (the owner’s) routines and some of the tricks he’s done,” Jamie Faircloth said.
Those third round of trees survived and were cut for customers for the first time this year.
Tennessee-grown tree types
Jamie Faircloth, who is vice president of the Tennessee Christmas Tree Growers Association, said the business’ goals include informing customers about the value of Tennessee-grown trees. Even in hilly Williamson County, the climate is not right for the traditional Fraser Fir. Jamie said Pinewood focuses in white pines, Virginia pines and Murray Cypress.
They’ve also started growing Canaan fir trees. They're don't have the same look as firs, but their positive attributes, Jamie said, include fewer needles on the floor.
The business has primarily sold trees shipped in as they waited for their trees to grow. And some customers prefer a traditional fir. This year, Pinewood has sold out of all its trees.
In addition to trees, the business also sells ornaments, knitted hats, scarves, wreaths, garland and toys made by Laura Faircloth, with some help from their daughter, Mia.
Jamie said they’ve always been passionate about adoption and helping children.
“At some point we hope we will be able to use our farm to help with that,” said Jamie Faircloth, whose other endeavors include managing a Starbucks and playing a soprano saxophone. “We do want our farm to be like a community center, meaning that we give back to the community, which is our goal.”
“The Christmas tree farm is a lot of work. But it’s a means to (create community),” Jamie said. “We want to create an experience for people.”
Pinewood Christmas Tree Farm
7561 South Harpeth Road, Primm Springs, TN
(615) 364-8684
pinewoodchristmastreefarm.com
More:Here's where to find the perfect tree at these Middle Tennessee Christmas tree farms
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Christmas tree farm family’s risk rewarded, ‘create an experience’ in Williamson County.
