Santa’s Christmas Tree Forest in Eustis Celebrates 35 Years of U-Cut Sand Pine
by PAUL CATALA
photos by MIRANDA LOVE
When Jack and Judy Ewing moved with their daughters to a 33-acre plot in rural Eustis in 1980, they had no idea the move would be the beginning of a Florida winter wonderland.
When their daughters went off to college in 1986, Jack, a retired Lieutenant Colonel and decorated pilot from the U.S. Air Force, and Judy, a registered nurse, decided to do something productive with the property. Fascinated by true Florida Christmas trees, they first tried their hands at Virginia pines, which didn’t thrive in Florida’s sandy soils. They next turned to the Choctawhatchee Sand Pine, and by 1989, they had a selection of choose and cut Christmas trees, and Santa’s Christmas Tree Forest was born.
In 2012, Jack and Judy Ewing retired from working the farm and turned it over to their son-in-law and daughter, Tom and Jodi Utsman.
Tom, 60, and Jodi, 59, both retired from the Lake County School District as Tavares High School teachers. They had already spent time helping at Santa’s Christmas Tree Forest, processing and selling trees, driving hayrides and managing employees.
Tom had even helped clear the land for the farm on the second date with his wife.
Now, along with some help from their daughter and general manager Jordan, 34, who grew up on the farm, the Utsmans have made the Christmas tree farm more than just a place to buy trees – it has become a bustling destination where visitors can get into the spirit of the season.
In addition, the Jordan Utsman’s daughters — Louisa, 6, and Ramona Utsman-Wright, 5 – help out when and where they can, the fourth generation working at the farm.
Morgan Thornhill, another family member, also helps manage the farm.
“The thing is, we were always involved with the farm,” says Tom. “We cleared the land, and we first grew watermelons and then we grew Christmas trees.”
Now, each January, the Utsmans plant about 3,500 Florida Christmas trees at the farm.
“When people think of Christmas trees, they’re mostly from up North, and they think of Fraser firs or Douglases, Blue spruces; ours are all sand pine. They’re a longer-leaf pine,” he says.
Sand pines can be used as a Christmas tree, but what makes them different are softer branches and long needles.In addition, they’re a more sustainable option to buying trees harvested out of state.
The trees take four to six years to mature before they are ready to harvest. Then comes the fun part! Customers at Santa’s Christmas Tree Forest are given saws and invited to walk the farm to find — and cut— their perfect tree.
In addition to their Florida trees, the farm also sells traditional northern trees. Between 500 and 600 are displayed for sale, including the Fraser fir or Douglas, Blue spruce, and Scotch pine.
“So, if our Florida tree is not your cup of tea, you can still take a hayride out and look around at what else we have,” Tom adds.
He says the only precaution for customers is to wear “sturdy shoes” due to uneven ground throughout the farm.
Tom adds that the farm only sells quality, matured trees. He explains that for trees sold at corporate stores, growers don’t get paid until trees are scanned and sold, so “there’s no incentive to care for that tree.” He personally knows the growers who bring trees imported from farms in North Carolina and Michigan for sale, and they’re paid in full before trees are brought in.
“We have hundreds and hundreds of people who come through here; it’s just a real happy place,” he says.
The holiday atmosphere doesn’t stop at the trees, though. It’s bolstered by other fun activities held at Santa’s Christmas Tree Forest.
Among the adventures to be had at the farm are a “Santa’s Flight Zip Line,” the “Farm Animal Zoo,” horse and pony rides, tractor-pulled hayrides, visits with Santa Claus, “Buddy’s Bounce Pillow,” “Crazy Elf Maze Adventure,” barrel-train rides, and “Santa’s Gift Shop.” All of it is just part of the “experience of the season,” says Tom.
“Some people think they’re just going to come in for a few minutes. But there are hundreds of trees to choose from, there’s music in the air, there’s an ornament shop — the decorative touches that our team does — I’m just amazed by it all, and so are our guests,” he says.
You can learn more about Santa’s Christmas Tree Forest at www.santaschristmastreeforest.com.
