Peltzer Pines Spared From Bond Fire In Silverado Canyon

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA —Peltzer Pines in Silverado Canyon was closed to customers amid the raging Bond Fire in Orange County. The Brea location remained open, and Orange County residents are hopeful to continue family traditions of bringing their Peltzer Pines Christmas Tree home.

UPDATE: Pelzter Pines Reopens As Bond Fire Travel Restrictions Canceled

Th Bond Fire struck the Silverado Canyon area amid wildfires and Santa Ana winds one week ago. Over 6,500 acres burned, right up to the borders of the Black Star Canyon area Christmas tree farm.

It's like a miracle, fans said over social media, seeing the black scar of the scorched earth next to row upon row of trees. Those who preordered trees from the farm have been wondering how to get out there to get them. Katie Farrington shared that Peltzer is allowing a delivery service to pick up trees to deliver.

The tree farm remained closed for one week while the area was under evacuation warning amid another wind storm.

The family left a message of gratitude on their Facebook page, saying that the Brea farm is open, and Silverado "will be tricky" until the roads open back up." They updated that message late Tuesday with plans to reopen Wednesday morning.

The Peltzer family has a long history of farming across southern California. In 1913, the original 20-acre site was farmed with citrus trees and a dairy farm that raised and sold chickens to none other than Mrs. Knott for her Knott's Chicken Dinner Restaurant. In 1935, that farm site was run by Victor Peltzer, who sold the land to Walt Disney, where part of Disneyland sits to this day.

In 1963, Charles "Chuck" Peltzer planted Peltzer Pines farm and began selling Christmas trees in 1966. The farm had sites in Anaheim, Orange, Garden Grove, and Irvine. In 2006, they opened the Brea and Silverado locations to the delight of residents. They sell the famed "Charlie Brown" trees for a pittance, while large scale trees—10 feet and taller—sell for upwards of over $100. Each year, a certain number of trees are donated to the military and needy families, according to a Daily Pilot report.

His son, Nick Peltzer, runs things nowadays. Inland, in Temecula, Charlie Peltzer and wife Carrie run the Peltzer Farms Pumpkin Patch and the nearby winery.

Every year, families across Orange County trek to Silverado Canyon to hew and haul their Christmas Trees. There is no photography allowed at the farm due to the coronavirus, 2020 season.

Seasonal Hours, through December 23

9am-4:30pm | Sat & Sun
11:30am-4:30pm | Mon-Fri

Learn more at peltzerpines.com

Read also:

Bond Fire Held To 6,686 Acres, 75% Containment

Pelzter Pines Reopens As Bond Fire Travel Restrictions Canceled

This article originally appeared on the San Juan Capistrano Patch