Christmas Blessings to you all (2023)

I wish all of you a Happy Christmas as another turn around the sun comes to an end.

Please don't look upon this Black Hills Spruce and think of Charlie Brown. This was planted from a 4" seedling about 10 years ago and was doing well as our Tree of Lights going forward.

Until a buck chose the tree to rub his antlers on what should have been about a 30" or so little tree. We plan on bringing the culprit to justice soon.

The spruce will continue to be our lighted tree until it decides it can't fulfill its obligations. We don't feel like giving up on it just yet.

There could be a lesson in there but your mileage may vary.

Happy Christmas from all of us at The Stranded Tree Farm

Same tree from 2021 ( a bit smaller though):

 

 

Happy Christmas to 2021

 

Our little Black Hills Spruce all dressed up with nowhere to go.

We here at the Stranded Tree Farm, hope all of our visitors, friends, and neighbors have a Happy Christmas with Ho, Ho, Ho and mistletoe for all.

Happy Christmas

From the Stranded Tree Farm

One of our black hills spruce

May you and yours receive the hope and blessings at this time of year and into the next.

A little Black Hills spruce update

We planted over 100 Black Hills spruce last spring and the deer have left them alone for the most part. Even though I ordered the 4-8 inch size, most of them were in the 8-12 inch range when we planted them on May 5th. Some have gained 5+ inches this year.

Here's one on October 19th:

And this past weekend (not the same seedling):

After the snow on the 5th/6th of January, we see it has been avoided by deer and the rabbits (so far.)

We intend to thin out the row: some of these for Christmas trees, others for transplant sales and some will be transplanted after our house is built. That's the plan anyway.

We like the soft needles compared to the Colorado spruce and its density will make a good windbreak. I haven't decided if we will add another 100 this year or try the white spruce and plant those around the pond. Purchased from Chief River Nursery in Wisconsin, I like what I see so far and intend to be a customer again.