A Visit to Christmas Tree Lane

At Christmas Tree Lane in Etna, Arkansas, Jim and Karen Lane are creating memories that stick. From snow-on-demand and hayrides to the picture backdrops and cocoa shack, families from across the state, nation, and even world have visited Franklin County for a unique family experience.

Thirty-five years ago, Jim and Karen visited a Christmas tree farm and were inspired to start their own. With 500 seedlings ordered from the Arkansas Forestry Commission, they planted what would become a legacy.

More than three decades later, what began as an operation to teach their children about hard work and entrepreneurship has grown into a fully operational farm with 6,000 leyland cypress, Carolina sapphire, and Virginia pine trees.

“In the Christmas tree industry, there’s a saying that you’re not really selling a tree, you’re selling an experience,” Jim says. “People come out and they want to be with family and have a real memorable time.” From the moment guests arrive, they are greeted by Moose, a five-year-old Saint Bernard that acts as the farm greeter, picture prop, and very huggable mascot.

Moose can often be spotted on the porch of the Christmas Cabin, a year-round winter wonderland that invites guests for a stay on the farm. Despite the temperature outside, the moment you enter the cabin, it feels like December. The Lanes also welcome young guests to the farm through school field trips. Many of the kids come back again with their whole family in tow to pick out their tree.

The farm has fostered a unique community of family and friends that care deeply about the success of the operation. Last year, Jim was diagnosed with cancer and had to travel to Minnesota during peak Christmas tree season. “We had family and friends jump in and run the farm, possibly better than we have for these 35 years,” Jim said. The Lanes’ two sons who live locally are often helping around the farm. Their other two children who live out of town also visit as often as possible and seek out Christmas tree farms in their areas to visit.

One of the Lanes’ favorite aspects of the farm is the generational memories it creates. “We've seen, multiple generations come to the farm being open this long,” Karen said. “And, you know, you get to see the progression in their photos of the kids growing up and then having kids of their own. And this is a memory that sticks.”

Picking a Tree

When asked about picking the perfect Christmas tree, the Lanes say that each family has their own preference when it comes to shape and size. “Some people like short, fat trees, some people like tall, skinny ones,” Jim said. The biggest factor to consider is what will fit best in your home. He warns visitors that trees often look smaller in the field than they do in their living room. Christmas Tree Lane provides measuring sticks to get an idea of your chosen tree’s size. Be sure to measure your space before you come and choose the evergreen best suited to your space.

“We look over the whole farm and pick which one my wife likes,” Jim jokes. “I like trees that are full but give you space for ornaments. When I’m out here mowing, I spot a tree that might be good. We have high ceilings, so we like a tall tree.”

Tree Care

When it comes to caring for your tree, Jim has the following advice: “As soon as you get it cut, you need to get it in water and keep it in water the whole time.” If you are transporting your tree very far, you will need to cut off the bottom of the trunk when you arrive home to remove the protective resin that may have accumulated. The pores in the trunk still absorbs water long after the tree is cut. In the first few days after harvesting, a Christmas tree can drink up to two gallons of water per day. Be sure to check your tree often and keep it well watered. If properly cared for, Jim has observed some cut trees on the farm last all the way to early spring.

If you are looking to visit a Christmas tree farm near you, Jim and Karen recommend checking out the Arkansas Christmas Tree Growers Association website at https://arkansaschristmastreegrowers.com/. The website’s interactive map can help you locate your nearest grower. During Jim’s time as president of the association, he has focused on helping farmers embrace the agritourism and marketing aspects of their tree farm operations.

“Through the years of social media, it has become a place to hang out instead of just a ‘come get your tree and leave’ type of place,” Karen said.  “Older farmers don’t really know what to do with that and how to market their farms, so Jim has been really key in helping teach them.”

Much like the agriculture industry overall, the average age of the Christmas tree farmer is increasing. Jim and Karen have been excited to see some young couples looking to start farms of their own. Their main piece of advice for these individuals: have patience.

“It’s a little bit different than normal farming, I guess,” Karen said. “Lots of mowing, lots of trimming, and lots of spraying all summer long.” While many farming operations offer fairly quick returns, Christmas tree farms take about six to seven years to produce income. Jim and Karen encourage young couples looking to enter the industry to keep working through the hard part and look forward to the rewarding experience of their first season.