By Don Lowe
There are so many families who enjoy the festive holiday tradition of going out and finding just the right Christmas tree to celebrate a joyful season.
Those special memories are what led to opening Bridgestone Christmas Tree Farm about 12 years ago, and Andy Johnson, co-owner along with his wife, Jennafer, says, “When we bought the property in 2003, we wanted to do something with the land but didn’t know what exactly.
“We always enjoyed going to a nearby tree farm and picking out a Christmas tree and tossed the idea around with friends to get their opinions. In the spring of 2005, we planted our first trees. I think we planted about 1,500 trees that first year. We’ve been planting every spring since.”
As things have evolved, Andy Johnson reflects, “In 2011, we built what is now the gift shop/ barn. In 2012, we brought in some pre-cut trees and sold them out of the empty barn to start getting our name out there as an option to buy a Christmas tree.
“We sold our own trees out of the field the next year. Each year, we’ve become more popular and sell more trees than the previous year. We now have about 10 acres of trees growing in all different stages, from new ones just planted to the ones for sale this year.”
In early fall, it’s already beginning to seem like a most wonderful time of the year, and Andy Johnson explains, “We start getting the trees we want to sell that year in October. We spray them with a green dye. It makes them look better and hold their needles once they’re cut down. “We then go through the field and pre-measure and flag each tree according to its height in the field. We go back and put a price tag on each tree for sale. Not every tree on the farm is for sale. We try to keep back trees every year, so we have a variety of sizes each year.
“By tagging the trees for sale, this helps identify what trees can and cannot be cut down. We shake and net each tree once the customer cuts it down. We have twine if they need to tie it to the top of their vehicle.”
There are lots of options in this business and he says, “We have families all over the Four-State Area that come to our farm for their trees. I know some families drive past other farms to come to ours and that means a lot to us.
“We’re aware that someone can purchase a real Christmas tree at a retail store in town, but can you go for a hayride, or do they offer hot chocolate and cider? We’re not just in the business of selling Christmas trees. We’re in the business of helping families create lasting memories around the holiday season.”
Bridgestone Christmas Tree Farm Fast Facts
Family Owners/Operators: Andy and Jennafer Johnson, along with daughters Kennedy Johnson and Brooklyn Johnson.
Other Relatives: Nephews Zachory Stump and Anthony Stump help during tree-selling season.
Physical Address: 9545 County Lane 251, Webb City, MO 64870. Note: Located 3.5 miles north of Stone’s Corner, just off Highway 43.
Email Address: [email protected]
Phone Number: 417.529.8508
Cost: Prices vary by size and species. Note: A 6-foot choose and cut tree starts at $60 and a 6-foot pre-cut tree starts at $67.
Types/Styles of Trees: Virginia Pine and Scotch Pine choose and cut trees. Variety of pre-cut trees, including White Pine, Black Hill Spruce, Balsam Fir, Concolor Fir, Douglas Fir and Fraser Fir.
Other Activities: Hayride and kids’ barrel train ride, along with complimentary hot chocolate and apple cider.
Hours: Open day after Thanksgiving; Fridays from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Note: Will remain open until trees are sold out, typically about three weekends.
Renaming/rebranding: Will be known as Johnson Family Farm in 2024.