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Valley families hit the Christmas tree trail
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Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem .Poland's Mary Perdulla (left) and husband, Frank, manage the Pioneer Trails Tree Farm with the help of their children, Matthew, Chuck and Amy. The tree farm is owned and operated by the Perdulla family.
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Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem .Struthers resident Heather Woodward looked for a Christmas tree with (left), Donna DeGenaro, Hailey and Ronald at Poland's Pioneer Trails Tree Farm Nov. 27. They have been coming to the farm for the past five years.
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Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem .Boardman residents Doug Woods (left) and wife, Julie, warmed up to a cup of hot chocolate with their daughter, Dana DiEugenio, and grandson, Carmine, Nov. 27 at Pioneer Trails Tree Farm. All proceeds from the concession sales go to support the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life.
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Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem .Pioneer Trails Tree Farm offers horse drawn wagon rides compliments of Golden Run Clydesdales from Hermitage, Pa. The rides are offered Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 12.
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Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem .Poland's Frank Perdulla pulled a purchased tree through a baling machine Nov. 27 which tied the branched down for easy handling.
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Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem .New Castle family members Ethan Seman (left), Jakob, Todd, and Angela along with their pet, Freddie, picked their Christmas tree out at Pioneer Trails Tree Farm Nov. 27. This was the farm's opening day for the holiday season.
What better way is there to burn off Thanksgiving dinner calories than by walking through acres of Christmas trees in search of the perfect one to take home?
Poland Township’s Pioneer Trails Tree Farm, 4222 Center Road, opened for the holiday season Nov. 27 and people from all over showed up to hand-pick their holiday trees. An array of pines, firs and spruces were available for purchase. Each year, new trees are planted in the spring. The winters are spent cleaning up what was left behind from the holiday season tree cutting frenzy. Mary Perdulla, Pioneer Trails Tree Farm owner, said the pruning and shaping of the trees begins in early May.
Her and her family run the business and handle most of the maintenance and upkeep of the trees. Thousands of their more than 40,000 trees are sold each year.
There are no restrictions on where you can cut trees. The entire 50-acre farm is up for grabs. This year, the trees are priced at the flat rate of $43, which includes sales tax, regardless of its size and species.
Perdulla said buying a tree from the farm has several benefits aside from its natural look, feel and smell. A live tree is recyclable and can be put back into the earth as mulch. It also supports the local economy.
“A lot of times, the artificial trees are made in China or some other country other than the United States,” Perdulla said. “These trees are grown right here in Poland.”
Tips for purchasing a live tree include deciding exactly where in your home the tree will be placed prior to purchasing it and taking precise measurements to avoid buying a tree that is too tall and wide. A tree stand that holds several gallons of water is also essential.
Perdulla said that even though Pioneer Trails is a business, she tries to make it a family fun event with the tree being a gift to take home.
Boardman resident Julie Woods and husband, Doug, have been coming to the tree farm annually for the past five years. They said they have made it a family tradition they enjoy as a jump-start their holiday season festivities.
Since cold weather comes with the winter season, refreshments and warm beverages are offered at the farm. All proceeds raised from the concession stand will support the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. Horse drawn wagon rides, given by Golden Run Clydesdales, are available Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 12.
The tree farm will be open for the holidays daily through Dec. 22. For information, visit www.pioneertrailstreefarm.com.
“It’s just like taking care of a regular yard,” Perdulla said. “Pruning, fertilizing and planting are essential.”
“It is a family affair and we don’t care how cold it is,” Woods said. “Everyone just jumps in and has fun.”