OCONTO, Wis. — It’s that time of the year when families head out to Christmas tree farms in search of the perfect Christmas tree.

Some are worried this year’s drought could jeopardize that. Even after this year’s extended dry conditions, Randy and Megan Yeska, the owners at Whispering Pines, said there’s no shortage of Christmas trees.

What You Need To Know

  • At Whispering Pines, train-themed tractors and wagons transport customers to trees. They also provide a hand saw to and from the field to cut your tree

  • In 2021, a tree from Whispering Pines adorned the Naval Observatory, the home of the Vice President in Washington, D.C.

  • Thousands of Balsam Fir, Fraser Fir, Spruce and White Pine are available at Whispering Pines Tree Farm

  • About 1.8 million Christmas trees are harvested annually in the Badger State, according to Wisconsin Christmas Tree Producers Assocation

Randy Yeska said growing trees is something he’s been doing for nearly four decades.

“I have been doing Christmas trees since about 1986. It kind of became a hobby to me back then and I’ve just had a passion for this, watching them grow and develop over the years,” Randy Yeska said.

It can take up to 10 years to grow a tree, so nearly 40,000 seedlings are planted at Whispering Pines every year.

With roughly one month of business, Randy Yeska said he’s happy this year’s dry weather has had little impact on his trees.

“We had a few seedlings that did die down at our home farm. Luckily, we could put our young trees under irrigation and it was a pretty good survival rate,” Randy Yeska said.

Randy Yeska’s wife, Megan, makes sure customers have ornaments for their evergreens. Megan Yeska said customers mainly come for two types of trees.

“We’re most famous for our Balsam trees, but we have many, many many Fraser, which is really the Cadillac of the Christmas tree,” Megan Yeska said.

It was only the best tree for the Denas family. Barb Denas and her husband hauled off a 10-foot Fraser fir. Denas said a real tree is a holiday must.

“Oh, it’s not Christmas without a real Christmas tree. It smells good. It looks beautiful, and it’s fun to go get it,” Denas said.

Megan Yeska said smiles and memories are the best part of the business. She said it’s rewarding to know her trees help shape the holidays for many homes.

“It is truly a blessing and an honor to be a part, even a small part of anyone’s family festivities,” Megan Yeska said.

Randy Yeska said with the holiday season arriving, he’s prepared for his most profitable month.

“Most of the revenue here is earned in December. I mean, it’s a one-shot deal, so you better be prepared,” Randy Yeska said.

Related Stories