By Derek Schlennstedt
When I was younger, the third most exciting day of the year was the point in mid-December when my parents would finally relent and we would go find the perfect Christmas tree.
It was only from that point onwards when the smell of pine needles would fill the house that you could really get excited for Christmas – for what is more synonymous with Christmas than an intricate ornamentally decorated Christmas tree.
Though there are those who may choose the plastic fantastic, neon coloured, put-in-a-box type Christmas tree, nothing can compare with the traditional pine tree, and in the Yarra Valley that tradition continues to be celebrated.
In the lead-up to Christmas, you can find hundreds of Christmas trees lining the outsides of community groups and CFA stations.
But as Warren Smith, owner of Yarra Valley Christmas Tree farm said, there was still something very special about walking through rows upon rows of pine trees in search of that perfect tree.
And with 15 acres of Christmas trees to choose from, Yarra Valley Christmas Tree Farm on Clegg Road in Wandin certainly offers trees of all sizes and shapes, all at a flat rate of $60.
“Christmas trees have got that lovely smell to them which reminds people of Christmas -it’s the smell of Christmas,” Mr Smith said.
“You can come and choose it and we’ll cut it down for you.”
Of course as with any living plant, they require maintenance and to ensure yours didn’t wilt or go brown before the special day, Mr Smith said it was vital they got a lot of water.
“Make sure you keep it out of direct sunlight and keep it watered,” he said.
“It’s got to have plenty of water – they can drink litres of water when first cut, and if they run out of water the bottom seals up and they can’t take water, which means it will dry out and you need to cut it off again.”
In the lead-up to Christmas, Mr Smith said they also decorated a large windmill with lights and decorations to spread the Christmas cheer.
