The Hunt for the perfect tree, found so much more!

For years, my family and I have made the annual trek out to purchase a Christmas tree.  For the last 3 years we have gone to the same location to purchase the tree.  We have always gotten a great tree, but the event itself has always left me wanting.  It was boring; there was nothing fun or exciting about the process. So this year I really wanted something different.


This past Sunday we loaded up the family including Tucker, our Boxer, and we hit the road.  We headed west out Rt. 23 from Phoenixville until we started seeing signs for Christmas tree farms. No pre-cut tree for us this year!  We made a right, then a left...we were up hills and down hills...all over the place.  We found what we thought was the ideal place and I pulled into the main entrance, only to be greeted by a sign saying "Please leave your Pets in your car".  Well it’s amazing how fast I can do a u-turn in a SUV!  If Tucker wasn't welcome on the farm, then I needed to find another farm.  So we headed back down the road only to find a place called Wade's Christmas trees.


I pulled down a small country lane that turned through the woods, went across a stunning covered bridge, and we werer greeted by a friend of the Wade family. He was a super nice guy and welcomed us and Tucker to the farm.  The place was incredible!  Over 130 acres of preserved land dedicated to growing Christmas trees.  It was like heaven.  There were fields as far as the eye can see, stone walls separating the fields, a wind mill in the distance, and people strolling where ever they wanted.  We took our time walking the fields looking for the perfect tree, admiring the property, and taking photos.  As we hiked, you could hear kids in the distance yelling, "Mommy...Daddy, I found it"!   Eventually we found our perfect tree and within a few moments, we had the chance to meet Biff, the owner's son.  Biff cut the tree to the perfect height, handed us a ticket, told us to enjoy the farm, and when we were ready the tree would be waiting for us at the bottom of the hill.

When we were done hiking, we headed down to claim our prized tree.  As we walked down the hill, we met a family with a 12 week old silver lab.  I had never even heard of a silver lab, but it was a stunning dog.  They told us that the owner of the farm was the breeder and that they had just recently purchased him.  With this knowledge in hand, I went on the hunt for the kennel, and very quickly found it.  There was one last silver puppy calling my name...

I took the time to speak with the Owner of the Farm and Kennel, T.D. Wade III. What a great guy!  I learned some history of the farm, as well as a good bit about his 45 years of breeding labs.  I walked away knowing that it wasn't the right time for me to purchase a puppy.  I did however, learn that this Farm was the perfect place for us to purchase our tree this year and for years to come.  It was a real family operation; Biff was cutting trees, T.D.'s daughter was making Wreaths and running the Christmas store, and his son-in-law was wrapping the trees and securing them to the vehicles.  Everyone was working hard to insure that each guest was welcomed and that they had the chance to enjoy the place they call home!

In this day and age, we often think that if it’s not on the internet, it doesn't exist.  Well Wade's Christmas Trees "isn't on that internet thing" as T.D. told me, but I assure you they exist.  If you’re looking to add to your line-up of family traditions, this is one I look forward to having for years to come.  Take some time to slow down, get away from the stress that is often found during the holidays, and enjoy this secluded gem in the Chester County countryside...you may end up with a tree and maybe, just maybe, the perfect little puppy.

You can find Wade's Christmas Tree Farm at 462 Trythal Road, Elverson, PA 19520, 610-469-6019