KELSEYVILLE >> For many families there are few better traditions than going out and picking out their own natural Christmas tree to enhance the yuletide decor.
“It’s more sustainable than an artificial tree,” says, Kiley Owens, co- owner with her husband Robert. “A natural tree keeps farms in business, provides jobs and preserves their land as a healthy forest habitat for wildlife. When tree farms harvest trees, they plant more in their place.”
Cobb Mountain Family Christmas trees are a pre-cut tree lot at 11905 Diener Drive, Kelseyville. They can be reached at: 707 799-5150. There are seven varieties to choose from a stock of 200 trees. The Douglas Fir for a 7-foot tree (the sweet spot) that most people choose costs $80, which grow at a lower elevation and are more accessible. Yet they also have Sierra Mountain Silver Tips, which grow at the higher elevations and more difficult to cut, cost $150 for a 7-foot tree. Many choose an 8-foot Noble or Natural Noble. It is $95 for the former and $110 for the latter. And they also have large Silver tips, up to 15 feet as well as 10 to 11-foot Nobles and Natural Nobles. Other varieties are the Nordman, Fraser and Grand.
“We always sponsor people in need because we understand how hard the economy has been,” Kiley said. The first year in business we sponsored families of the Lower Lake Elementary School. And in the second year it was foster families. And now, it’s Lake County veterans who might need a Christmas Tree this year. And there’s some people who volunteer to sponsor a tree and those costs $75, usually a mix of Douglas, Fraser and Noble.”
The Family Christmas Trees provides complementary delivery for the central Lake County area. They are open from the day after Thanksgiving and close on December 10. Business hours are 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. during the week and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the weekends. They accept cash, checks, Venmo and Zelle, digital payment network. When their stock arrives, they usually cut another 1/2-inch from each length in order to keep trees from forming a sap that will keep them from absorbing adequate water. Once trees arrive at home, they should be placed in a tree stand or 5-gallon bucket with water filled about 3/4 to the top. And as long as trees are kept away from a heat source, they can keep for three months. If left outside the trees like the shade and cool temperatures. And even the occasional snowstorm will not harm the trees.
“There’s not a better smell than a Christmas tree- it’s just amazing,” Kiley said. “The least fragrant are the Nordman but the most are the Grand firs. And all the others in between are amazing as well.” But she cautions to check water levels daily and never let the level drop severely. The trees will also lose some needles but most of them have good needle retention. “The Douglas are a little daintier and cannot handle as many ornaments as the Silver Tips.”
CR&R Inc. environmental services will have tree collection of disposed trees and greenery from December 26 to January 6, 2024. They advise to remove all ornaments and the stand. Cut the tree in half if it is over 6 feet tall. Place the tree in the organics cart bottom first and upright. It may also be place next to the waste recycling carts on collection day. CR&R will also provide a Christmas disposal, free drop-off site in the parking lot of the Lake Forest Sports Park.
The Owens family receive numerous kudos. One client emailed, “Absolutely beautiful and fresh trees. This is our second year, and we couldn’t be happier to support a local business/family. Everyone in the family is extremely helpful and accommodating Thank you Cobb Mountain Family Christmas Trees, we hope you’re there for years to come.”
Kiley also works as an associate wine maker at the Laujor Estate Winery. “I’m so blessed to have these two jobs; it’s a really wonderful field to be in, a labor of love,” Kiley said. “What I love is we get to meet new people. And we get to see how happy they are, picking out their own tree and put it in the back of their truck, because I know they’re making memories. We live in one of the most wonderful places in the world and feel so blessed to be here.”
