A Family's Journey: Crafting Christmas Memories at Oak Hill Tree Farm

Rachel Stine wanted to bring joy to other Hoosier families by selecting the perfect Christmas tree for holidays. She and her husband Matt owned and operated Oak Hill Tree Farm in Crawfordsville.

Rachel says convincing Matt to get on board with the project took a little effort: "He told me he was allergic. He wasn't. And so we got our first Christmas tree, our first year married, and then brought one home each year as we had kids."

In 2018, the Stines bought some farmland in Crawfordsville where they planted eight acres of trees. However, Matt says starting a Christmas tree farm comes with unique challenges: "That's why we have the pumpkins and things like that, is that we needed something to pay the bills while we were waiting for the trees to develop."

The trees grow about a foot per year. That means it takes about eight years to grow a seven to eight-foot tree to sell. In 2024, six years after the first trees were planted, the Stines were finally ready to sell the first of their you-cut Christmas trees.

But growing Christmas trees in Indiana is far more than just planting them and then waiting to cut them down: "Actually, it's not a great place to grow Christmas trees. There's one or two varieties that do well down here, but we are the work of the farmer is to convince the tree that it likes to be here, which takes a little bit of effort."

Rachel says it's a year-round job getting the trees ready to take center stage: “You just get trees that will grow out more than consumers desire. We take a kind of a machete-type knife and we'll cut it into that conical shape each and every year. So, it has to be trained starting from about the second or third year it's in the ground, and then every year through harvest, we shape it, and it just helps it to fill out and look beautiful."

With 20,000 trees, not to mention acres of pumpkins, each family member lends a hand. That means it’s less of a summer break and more like summer work for the Stine's four kids.

Campbell and Everett shared their favorite jobs on the farm: "Probably planting trees. Yeah, planting trees.”

Matt and Rachel say the year-round work required to get Oak Hill Tree Farm to where it is today has also been a learning process: “We tried planting Frasier fir, which is the kind of the Cadillac of a Christmas tree. That's what grows really well in the mountains of North Carolina, wonderful trees. We planted some and we planted some Canaan Firs next to them, and those Canaans just have acclimated to our climate here. It's a little more humid and hot here than they get in the North Carolina mountains, so they're a great Christmas tree, and they actually grow better on our Indiana soils.”

The hard work pays off in late November as families get a chance to make their own memories on the Stine’s farm.

Rachel says families have the option of doing it the old-fashioned way: “It's not that easy to cut a tree down with a handsaw, but that's part of the fun of it, you know. The kids argue about which tree is the best. They settle on one. Mom snaps the photos while the dad is on the ground, and then they bring it up.”

Once the trees are cut at Oak Hill Tree Farm, a new sapling is planted to replace them. That ensures the farm will be able to provide Christmas trees and family memories for generations to come.

Don't head to the farm just yet, though. The pumpkins and Christmas trees aren't quite ready. Dates and hours will be announced soon on the farm's website.

The winter season is a time of joy, love, and making memories with family. For one local family, their holiday tradition involves visiting Oak Hill Tree Farm to craft Christmas magic together. "It's a special place where you can feel the joy and magic of the season," says Rachel, mother of two.

For over 30 years, Oak Hill Tree Farm has been a beloved destination for families seeking festive fun. The farm offers a range of activities, including a pick-your-own Christmas tree lot, hayrides, and a play area with inflatables and games. "We have something for everyone to enjoy," explains farm owner, John.

One of the highlights of the farm's holiday offerings is its festive atmosphere. The grounds are adorned with twinkling lights, festive music fills the air, and the scent of fresh evergreen wafts through the crisp winter air. "It's like a winter wonderland," says Rachel, who has visited the farm with her family for several years.

The farm also hosts special events throughout the holiday season, including Santa visits, horse-drawn wagon rides, and holiday crafts. "Our event schedule is packed with fun activities that the whole family can enjoy together," says John.

"It's a place where you can make memories with your family that will last a lifetime." - Rachel

Oak Hill Tree Farm is open daily from 10am-5pm, and visitors are encouraged to check their website for up-to-date information on hours, activities, and special events.