US Airways - July 2013 - (Page 143)

Oh, Christmas Tree For some High Country farmers, the iconic holiday symbol is a year-round labor of love. S chool’s out for summer, but on evergreen farms in Boone and Blowing Rock, it might as well be Christmas in July. Growing Christmas trees isn’t just any old preholiday chore. In Watauga County — tucked away in the northwest corner of the state — raising the perfect North Carolina Fraser fir is an art. Farmers work throughout the year to cultivate trees with celebrated traits such as exceptional needle-retention, strong and upright branches, and that signature fragrance. Yes, even in July. “For growers, Christmas season is yearround,” says Dr. Jim Hamilton, the county’s director of cooperative extension. “This time of year, they’re in the field giving trees their annual ‘haircut’ by shaping the top and side branches with pruning knives and clippers. That perfect pyramid shape of your Christmas tree doesn’t happen by accident. It takes a lot of work!” A lot of work, indeed. Each tree is visited more than 100 times from the moment it’s transplanted into the field as a foot-tall seedling until it’s harvested in November or December. Of course, that’s not a single season. It can take more than 10 years of care before a tree is all grown up and ready for its starring holiday role. Watauga County, with its dozens of evergreen farms, is known as the “Choose and Cut Capital.” Each holiday season, families flock to the area in search of the perfect tree. As kids and their parents enjoy hayrides, Christmas carols, and hot chocolate, a new crop will soon emerge, readying for another buyer and another Christmas celebration. By eLLIe BaLdInI Below: Any chooseand-cut grower will tell you that Christmas magic is found on the farm and not in a parking lot. 971 west king street Boone, Nc 828.264.3061 wataugachristmas trees.org phOtO By matt pOwell usairwaysmag.com july 2013 143 tp://www.wataugachristmastrees.org http://www.wataugachristmastrees.org http://www.usairwaysmag.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of US Airways - July 2013

US Airways - July 2013
Table of Contents
CEO Letter
From the Editor
Did You Know?
Making It Happen
Hot Spots: Family-Friendly Vacations
Wine & Dine: The Other Portland
Great Tastes: Benjamin Steakhouse
Wine & Dine: A Crafty Measure
Diversions: Fresh as You Please
Great Tastes: Savor
Great Escapes: Now Resorts & Spas
Adventure: Climbing Mt. Rainier
Travel Feature: Grand Cayman, the Epicure's Island
US Airways: Top Dogs
Special Section: Northwest Arkansas
Golf: Primland, a Course Apart
Special Section: North Carolina High Country
Puzzles
Readers Resource Index
Your US Airways Guide
Video Entertainment
Audio Entertainment
U.S. and Caribbean Service Map
International Service Map
Airport Terminal Maps
US Airways Fleet/Customs & Immigration
Passenger Info/Contact US Airways
US Airways MarketPlace®
Window or Aisle?

US Airways - July 2013