Berry’s Tree Farm
Welcome to Berry’s Tree Farm!
Meet Chuck, Lori, and Chase Berry.
Located in Covington near I-20, the Berry family farms and tends to a wide variety of Christmas trees for local community.
Check out the photographs of their beautiful farm and get to know Berry’s Tree Farm in the Q & A session below!
The History Behind The Farm
Berry’s Tree Farm has been a part of the Almon community since 1894. Six generations of the Berry family have farmed and tended to this land, spanning over one hundred and twenty years. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries the farm was used to grow crops and until 1969 it was also used as a dairy farm. In 1977, Chuck Berry’s father planted the first round of Christmas trees, which were available to be sold to the local market in 1983.
Sitting at one hundred acres, with forty acres in tree production, the Berry Family Farm was designated as a Georgia Centennial Family Farm by the Department of Natural Resources in 2013. Each year the Berry family sells over four thousand Christmas trees. The majority are purchased for personal use and are taken home to be the annual family tree however many are also supplied to various movie sets, Stone Mountain Park, the Governor’s Mansion, and the State Capital of Georgia. In 2021, Berry’s Tree Farm was awarded Reserve Grand Champion at the National Christmas Tree Contest, which was held in West Jefferson, North Carolina. With this award came the opportunity to place trees in the residence of the Vice President of the United States, Washington, DC.
Get to know Berry’s Tree Farm!
Check out the Q & A session below:
What type of farming do you do? – (Chuck) “We are a tree nursery and grow Christmas trees. Our most popular varieties are the Leyland Cypress, Murray Cypress, Cedar, Virginia Pine, Blue Ice, Carolina Sapphire, and Fresh-cut Fraser Fir form North Carolina.”
(Chuck) “In addition to growing Christmas trees, I am the President of the Newton County Farm Bureau, Georgia Director for the National Christmas Tree Association, board member of the national Real Christmas Tree Board (appointed by USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue), and actively involved in the local FFA programs. My wife Lori works for the Newton County Courthouse and makes Christmas wreaths to sell at the tree farm. My son Chase recently graduated from ABAC in Tifton and now works on the farm.”
How long have you been farming? Are you a generational farmer? – (Chuck) “The Berry family has been farming in the Almon Community near I-20 since 1894. I am a fifth generation farmer and my son Chase is a sixth. We have been here for a long time. When the farm started, there were no cars or tractors. All of the work would have been done with mules or horses. We have not always grown Christmas trees. The Berry family grew crops and milked cows until 1969. Once the dairy was closed and the cows were sold, my daddy planted the first Christmas trees in 1977. It takes several years to grow a Christmas tree, and the first trees were sold in 1983. We have been selling Christmas trees for almost 40 years and it is a very fun job.
From start to finish, how does the basic workflow go? – (Chuck) “The planting takes place in January and February. Five thousand trees were planted in 2022 and these were transplants from one gallon pots. Trimming occurs in May and September by a contract crew from Michigan, where each tree is individually trimmed with knives. Throughout the growing season we provide weed, grass, and fungus control. Depending on the variety of tree it takes between 4-6 years before it is ready.”
How many trees do you sell during the Christmas season? Who are the consumers? – (Chuck) “We sell over 4000 Christmas each year. Most of our trees go to someone’s home, but not all. We send Christmas trees to Stone Mountain Park, the State Capitol of Georgia, and the Governor’s mansion. Our trees have also been a part of many movies including Dolly Parton’s Christmas movie which was filmed in Covington. Christmas trees from Berry’s have also been featured on the Channel 2 news and The Weather Channel. In 2021, Berry’s Tree Farm was awarded Reserve Grand Champion tree at the National Christmas Tree Contest in West Jefferson, NC. With this award came the opportunity to place trees in the residence of the Vice President of the United States, Washington, DC.“
What other activities are offered during the Christmas season at the farm? (Chuck) “While at the Christmas tree farm, there are lots more fun things to do. We have a train ride and a petting zoo. Santa Claus is hanging out for pictures on the weekends. We also have a concession stand so you can find a snack while at the farm. We have boiled peanuts, popcorn, nachos, grilled cheese sandwiches as well as hot cocoa and other drinks.”
What is your favorite thing about being a farmer? – (Chuck) “The accomplishment of planting trees and then years later seeing the families come and purchase the trees as part of their Christmas traditions – favorite time is selling season when the families visit and we get to be a part of their Christmas memories.”
What can the community do to support farmers like you? – (Chuck) “Understand the importance of agriculture and how it affects our everyday lives. Most families are several generations removed from faming and they seem to take it for granted. Not a minute goes by that someone is not effected in some way by agriculture, it’s more important than most think.”
What would you like Morgan County (and surrounding communities/counties) to know about your farming operation? – (Chuck) “We have been farming on the same piece of property for over 128 years. We want everyone to come and enjoy the experience of cutting your own Christmas tree and hope to be a part of everyone’s Christmas traditions. We enjoy seeing all of the smiling children each year.”
Make sure to follow Berry’s Tree Farm on social media and check out the website below!
