WAFB Channel 9, Baton Rouge, LA |Families take on the Christmas Tree search

Families take on the Christmas Tree search

By Tyana Williams - bio | email

CENTRAL, LA (WAFB) - Hundreds of trees are waiting for good homes. Last year, Hurricane Gustav destroyed a good chunk of them at the Kringlewood Christmas Tree Farm in Central.  This year, they've rebounded and are expecting more business.

It's the day-after-Thanksgiving tradition for several families.  Finding the perfect Christmas Tree.  For one little girl, by the name of Leah Lott, picking the perfect tree is a monumental task.  "Oh I see one," she says pointing to a Leland Cypress tree on the farm.  To this little three year old, every tree looks like the right one.  "They're nice and fuzzy," she says reaching out to touch one.  "That's just perfect."

Perfect to her, but not to one of her brothers.  Who gave her a lesson on tree finding 101.  "I think it's better to get a big one. What do you think?" he asks her.  Her response,"Which one is just perfect for my kitchen?"

The family that runs the farm says this year's trees look much better than last year's crop. Hurricanes Gustav and Ike uprooted several trees.  And last year's snow storm took out more. This year though, the crops are back to normal. J ust in time for what they expect to be a very busy first day of sales.

But the favorite part of this now 30 year operation, is watching the families explore.

"Cutting your tree is a family tradition for a whole lot of people.  Had some families out that this is their 3rd generation," says Reggie Pulliam, who owns the farm.

Which brings us back to Leah, who eventually found her perfect tree.  She even helped saw it down, and drag it out.  "You think this is going to be a pretty one?" her dad asks.  She says yes.  When he asks why it's the best, she answers, "Because it's perfect."

Kringlewood grows two types of Leland Cypress along with Cedar trees.  They also fly in Frazier Firs from North Carolina.  The trees cost between $20-$200, depending on the type and size you want.  The tree farm is located at 9110 Greenwell Springs Port Hudson Road, in Central.

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