NORTH FORK – With Christmas just around the corner, family owned and run Silvertip Tree Farm still has a good selection of silvertip Christmas trees, also known as California Red Fir (Abies Magnifica).
Starting this weekend, the prices are deeply discounted for even the freshest of trees.
Jim and Gena Hopkins are the proprietors of Silvertip Tree Farm, along with their four grown sons: James, Robert, Clayton and Frank. Each is involved in the business in various ways, including sales, marketing, shipping and reforestation.
This week is a great time to buy a fine tree, tabletop or wreath, says Gena Hopkins.
“We’ve reduced all our prices on all the trees for the last ten days of Christmas,” says Hopkins. “We just cut some fresh ones, so we’ve got some beauties for anybody who’s still looking for a real premium tree.”
Silvertips are grown at a minimum elevation of 7,000 ft. and are considered long-lasting when cut.
“The silvertip is one of the nicest ways to show your most precious ornaments, with beautiful silvery tips and layered branches,” Hopkins says. “The tree itself is an ornament. It really is part of your showcase.”
The Hopkins’ trees are grown on about 500 acres of family property near Fish Camp.
“It’s been in the family, through shared ownership, for 112 years, and about 17 years ago we bought out most of the other owners,” Hopkins explains. “Now my husband and I own the property and manage it as a tree farm. We sell large trees, lumber, firewood and Christmas trees. So it’s not a typical Christmas tree farm where you have rows that are planted. This is a forest property with all natural wild trees.”
The Silvertip Tree Farm has large, sturdy wreaths for $15, and some tabletop-style small trees for under $20.
“So if you’re looking for a small tree, or want something more spectacular, we have a nice selection to choose from. There are at least 50 trees on hand, and they’re very affordable,” Hopkins promises.
Speaking of spectacular, these mountain tree farmers received at least two calls early in the season that caused excitement around their staging lot in North Fork, and beyond.
“Pottery Barn called us during the summer and said they wanted to order some beautiful trees to put in their Christmas catalog,” says the proud purveyor, displaying the catalog featuring her own Silvertip trees decorated with Pottery Barn ornaments. “It featured six different Christmas tree themes and they’re beautiful.”
That’s not all. Martha Stewart’s office called. Yes, that Martha.
“Martha ordered a tree and a little tabletop, and I got a phone call saying they’re very happy with the tree,” Gena reports.
You may want to do what Martha can’t: drive over to their North Fork tree lot and sit for a while, looking at trees and warming by the fire. Martha’s tree was 8 ft. tall. How big will yours be?
