Rural Missouri - December 2020 - 21

Left: Dennis Fulk checks a fir tree for sale at the farm. The family brings in Fraser, Douglas and balsam varieties which rarely survive a Missouri
summer. Right: Alex DiDonato simultaneously carries out this year's tree and a 17-year family tradition with his find.

mood when they come out, " Dennis says. " It's a good expe15 years the family has regularly sold around 1,200 trees
rience, even when we're busy. "
each year. One family, however, always has first dibs: BriAnd busy they stay. Whoever gets the glory of the last
an's grandparents, Robert and Earlene, who still live on
saw stroke on the tree may appear to be doing all the
the Century Farm.
work, but it's the culmination of years of effort on the
" They have to put up with it for a month, so they get
Fulks' part to keep inventory looking sharp. The trees,
first choice, " Brian says with a laugh.
Scotch and white pines ordered as pencil-sized sapCome rain, snow, sun or any weather in
lings from a farm in Michigan, are planted almost as
between, the first weekend after Thanksgivsoon as their predecessors are cut. More than 800
ing is the farm's busiest time, with perhaps
trees are planted per acre, and each year's worth
one-third of the whole season's sales coming on
Weston
is cut on a roughly 10-year rotation. Along the
Black Friday. On that day, families take to the
way, the family has learned as much as they
pasture - saws and cameras in hand, smiles on
can about the business from information disfaces - all in search of the perfect tree.
pensed by the University of Missouri Extension
It's a tradition of another kind for the extended
and workshops put on by the Missouri ChristFulk family, who, along with high school and
mas Tree Association.
college helpers, shake, trim, drill and net trees as
" There was a learning process, for sure, "
fast as they are able. Dennis and Brian estimate 400
Brian says, adding that trimming every tree each summer
trees went home on the first day of the season in 2019
is the most time-consuming part of the process. " You get
- roughly one tree every minute they were open for busithem started out right when they're still small and it's easness. It's a brisk pace, but the Fulks are all smiles.
ier to keep them in the right shape as they get bigger. "
" It's one of those businesses where everyone is in a good
DECEMBER 2020 | RURALMISSOURI.COOP

21



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Rural Missouri - December 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Rural Missouri - December 2020

Contents
Rural Missouri - December 2020 - Cover1
Rural Missouri - December 2020 - Cover2
Rural Missouri - December 2020 - Contents
Rural Missouri - December 2020 - 4
Rural Missouri - December 2020 - 5
Rural Missouri - December 2020 - 6
Rural Missouri - December 2020 - 7
Rural Missouri - December 2020 - 8
Rural Missouri - December 2020 - 9
Rural Missouri - December 2020 - 10
Rural Missouri - December 2020 - 11
Rural Missouri - December 2020 - 12
Rural Missouri - December 2020 - 13
Rural Missouri - December 2020 - 14
Rural Missouri - December 2020 - 15
Rural Missouri - December 2020 - 16
Rural Missouri - December 2020 - 17
Rural Missouri - December 2020 - 18
Rural Missouri - December 2020 - 19
Rural Missouri - December 2020 - 20
Rural Missouri - December 2020 - 21
Rural Missouri - December 2020 - 22
Rural Missouri - December 2020 - 23
Rural Missouri - December 2020 - 24
Rural Missouri - December 2020 - 25
Rural Missouri - December 2020 - 26
Rural Missouri - December 2020 - 27
Rural Missouri - December 2020 - 28
Rural Missouri - December 2020 - 29
Rural Missouri - December 2020 - 30
Rural Missouri - December 2020 - 31
Rural Missouri - December 2020 - 32
Rural Missouri - December 2020 - 33
Rural Missouri - December 2020 - 34
Rural Missouri - December 2020 - 35
Rural Missouri - December 2020 - 36
Rural Missouri - December 2020 - 37
Rural Missouri - December 2020 - 38
Rural Missouri - December 2020 - 39
Rural Missouri - December 2020 - 40
Rural Missouri - December 2020 - 41
Rural Missouri - December 2020 - 42
Rural Missouri - December 2020 - 43
Rural Missouri - December 2020 - 44
Rural Missouri - December 2020 - 45
Rural Missouri - December 2020 - 46
Rural Missouri - December 2020 - 47
Rural Missouri - December 2020 - 48
Rural Missouri - December 2020 - 49
Rural Missouri - December 2020 - 50
Rural Missouri - December 2020 - Cover3
Rural Missouri - December 2020 - Cover4
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