Ina Tappan ventured into the world of Christmas tree farming in 1985 when she was 50 years old. At 87, she still walks the fields and cares for the evergreens. Her children aid her with the daily care of the farm, as Christmas tree growing is a year-round job.
The farm, which began offering u-cut trees as Tappan’s Christmas Trees in 1985, sells over 1,000 evergreens annually. Last year, Tappan planted her final batch of trees, passing the duty along to her children.
Family-owned, the Tappans first tilled their farmland, originally used as cattle pasture, for Christmas trees in 1985. Many evergreen trees from their first planting didn’t survive the year.
“We proceeded to order 10,000 trees. We planted them all, but there’s areas in our ground that were wet and they died, and so we chose a different variety that thrived there,” Tappan said. “They have to grow and die for you to realize they won’t thrive there.”
To become successful, the Tappans learned their farmland’s soil conditions, what areas were soggy and which were dry. The Tappans now plant a mixture of evergreens, including noble, grand, Fraser and Douglas fir that thrive in their plots. It took years of trial and error to learn the ideal conditions for each tree species, Tappan said.
The trees require year-round work, and Tappan walks among the trees with a sprayer each day. She treats the fields for weeds and keeps the pathways clear and walkable. Her children handle much of the digging and planting. Her sons Richard, Michael and Larry take over more of the work each year, Tappan said.
Work does not stop once the hole is dug and the tree planted. To grow a robust Christmas tree with its iconic shape, the evergreen must be sheared and shaped throughout the year. Aphids are a common pest and must be sprayed or hunted with purchased and released yellowjackets.
“It’s a 365-day-a-year job, and people don’t understand that,” Richard Tappan said.
Tappan’s Christmas Trees has experienced a new challenge with increasingly hot summers and scorching heat waves. The intense heat inhibits tree growth and can even kill young trees.
“Last year, we had 116 degrees summer, and it burned the southwest side of many of our trees,” Ina Tappan said. “They turn brown and die.”
Ina Tappan planted her final trees last year and plans to let her children continue the farm. Her son Larry recently retired and has begun planting his own trees.
“There will be trees out there for a number of years yet,” Ina Tappan said.
Richard, Michael and Kristie Tappan assist with the farm store, welcoming customers with a warm fire, candy canes and hot cocoa. They also sell handmade wreaths, elaborately handcrafted by local family friend Debbie Van Tassel.
Tappan’s Christmas Trees is located at 7301 NE 185th Circle, Battle Ground. It is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. For more information, visit its Facebook page or call 360-573-8210.
