SALINE COUNTY -- Santa Claus sells Christmas trees freshly cut from his forest of evergreens in rural Saline County, 10 miles southwest of Benton. He has a jolly good time, as do the boys and girls who take a seat in his flightless sleigh to divulge their gift wishes.
On a sunny Saturday afternoon at Papa Santa's Christmas Tree Farm, costumed proprietor Paul Warford is greeting youngsters whose families have stopped by to chop down their own cypress or choose one to be cut by the farm's crew.
These traditionalists are part of a dwindling American minority, given that about 80 percent of the 94 million households decorating a tree this month are going with artificial versions. That leaves some 19 million U.S. families opting for the real thing with its natural scent. They include visitors to Papa Santa's and two dozen other Christmas tree farms open to the public in Arkansas. A number are in the Little Rock area.
Paul and his wife, Rochelle, have been selling the trees they grow for a half-dozen holiday seasons. The business brings welcome income, but it's evident that they also get pleasure from greeting return guests as well as newcomers.
"My husband loves to be Santa Claus," says Rochelle. "He has so much fun talking to the kids and finding out what they hope he'll bring them when Christmas comes around. He enjoys seeing folks who come back every December. It helps make up for all the year-round hard work he puts into growing the evergreens."
This year, Paul says, the most frequent requests by youngsters "are for electronic gear -- video games, smartphones, other gadgets. I'm surprised and happy when somebody asks for a doll or a pair of roller skates. I guess Santa has to keep up with the times."
The cypress varieties available at Papa Santa's are priced by height. For trees less than 10 feet tall, the cost is $6 per foot. For those 10 feet and taller, it's $7 per foot. The price is the same whether the customer or a staff member does the cutting. Saws are provided at no extra charge for do-it-yourself visitors, and trees are netted and loaded on vehicles.
Papa Santa's is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays leading up to Christmas. Free candy canes are available, along with hot cocoa and cider or cold punch, depending on the weather. On sale along with trees are Christmas crafts, wreaths and other arrangements.
"Our trees do not readily shed needles," says Rochelle, "and they seem to cause little or no problems for anyone with allergies. The most important words to remember when people get their tree home is, 'Water, water, water.' That will keep them fresh through Christmas Day."
Contact information for Papa Santa's and other Christmas tree farms in central Arkansas is available online at pickyourownchristmastree.org. It's a good idea to call ahead to check on directions, opening times and tree availability.
Style on 12/12/2017