Happy Thanksgiving from your friends at Johnson's!
Hello, again!
Christmas is a time filled with traditions, not only at home, but socially and at our places of work. The garden center this time of year is magical with all of the themed decorations, everything from traditional to whimsical. Our fresh cut Christmas trees have been a Wichita tradition for decades - several generations! I remember Dad having us yearly install a 4’ x 8’ piece of white plywood with the message ‘FRESH CUT CHRISTMAS TREES’ hand painted in red paint in the lawn to let the neighborhood know when our trees were hung and ready to shop (which they are now!)
Selling the Christmas trees was always a fun job growing up at the garden center. The three Johnson brothers, our cousins and school mates ‘managed’ the department. There was plenty of horseplay that went on as I recall, from running our youngest brother Linden through the tree netter, to having snow ball fights in the forest when it snowed. We even made up a game and called it ‘Pine Ball’. The basic idea was the same as in sports like basketball, football or soccer: the aim was simply to get an object into the goal. In this case it was the cut end of the tree tossed into a trash bucket about 50’ away. Retiree Al Brimer was never beat!
Back in the days, we sold mostly Scotch Pine trees from Wisconsin. They were ok, but the sharp needles were not fun - for the sellers or homeowners either. While having Bill Jackel flock the trees helped, I’m glad we are now just offering fir trees from small, family-owned farms. Here’s what you’ll find this year at the stores:
Fraser fir is one of the most popular Christmas trees, thanks to its wonderful fragrance, soft needles, and excellent needle retention. Our frasers are grown by the Cartner family, our friends in North Carolina who frequently have a tree in the White House. The needles are short and dark green with a distinctive silver underside, giving the tree a rich, full appearance. Its branches are strong enough for most ornaments, and its naturally symmetrical shape makes it a reliable choice for almost any home.
Noble fir has a classic, elegant look with blue-green needles that curve slightly upward. Grown in the Pacific Northwest, noble branches are exceptionally strong, making it ideal for heavier ornaments or families who like a ‘decorator-quality’ tree. Needle retention is very good, and the overall shape tends to be more layered and open, allowing ornaments to hang beautifully.
Concolor fir, also known as white fir, is loved for its unusual citrus fragrance - often compared to oranges or tangerines. Concolors are grown in the Rocky Mountains in northeastern New Mexico, close to Philmont Scout Ranch. These trees are not farmed, but are selectively harvested as part of a forest management program. Concolor’s long, soft blue-green needles give it a graceful and slightly more open look than a fraser. The branches have moderate strength and hold most ornaments well, and the tree maintains its needles nicely with proper care.
Nordmann fir is from the Pacific Northwest as well, and is an excellent choice for households wanting minimal fragrance or for those with sensitivities. Its dark green, glossy needles are soft to the touch, and the tree has a very uniform, symmetrical appearance. Nordmann firs also have some of the best needle retention of any Christmas tree, keeping a clean look throughout the holiday season.
Silvertip fir, often known for its high-altitude origins, has a striking open and layered form with blue-green to silvery needles. It has strong, sturdy branches similar to noble fir, making it great for showcasing ornaments individually. The mild fragrance and distinctive structure give it a modern, airy look that many decorators love. If you’d like a silvertip fir, drop by soon. We have very limited quantities of this tree.
I’ll leave you with a couple of my holiday favorites. You may remember in the movie, A Christmas Story, when the old man is haggling with the Christmas tree lot owner, and the tree seller tries to upsell him by bad-mouthing the competition’s trees.
‘The trees down the street are loaded with pine tar! Those aren’t trees - they’re petrified! You buy one of those, you’re stuck with it for life.’
I also hope you will enjoy Rich Mullins singing his Christmas song again this Christmas season: You Gotta Get Up from his album, A Liturgy, A Legacy, and a Ragamuffin Band.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Marty Johnson
Owner - Johnson's Garden Centers
