SUMMERDALE — Fish River Tree Farm in central Baldwin County is preparing for another holiday season in Baldwin County.

Steve Mannhard, who has been in the Christmas tree business since 1981, is as knowledgeable about the history of Christmas trees as he is about maintaining and selling them, mentioning how it goes back thousands of years to when a group of Northern Europeans started bringing evergreen trees inside their homes during the harsh winter months, some believing they were magical.

"I think instinctively we're drawn to bringing something green [inside] in the winter," Mannhard said. "I don't know, but I do know that the kids love this farm."

Mannhard was teaching at Foley High School when he started the farm and found out that running a tree farm isn't simply a summer job. Due to Baldwin County's hot climate, trees have to be planted in the winter, and they don't even start growing until February.

Having started planting Virginia Pines, Mannhard has added other varieties of trees over the years, including cypress, Carolina sapphires and blue ice.

Fish River is more than a tree farm. Spread across 40 acres, there is also the Tannenbaum Express, a free train ride that goes around the farm that families can enjoy, along with a live nativity scene and camel and pony rides. Santa himself will also be there on select weekends, making it a perfect outing for kids.

Despite the maintenance required to run a tree farm and related holiday activities, Mannhard said it's worth it just to see the families and kids come.

"Some of them travel a long way just to bring their kids here, but they create a tradition, and they come every year," Mannhard said. "That's what they end up telling [us]: 'Oh, we come every year. We love bringing the kids here.' And that's what the farm is all about."

Fish River Tree Farm is located at 13982 Woodhaven Dairy Road E. in Summerdale and is open daily through Dec. 22 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit www.fishrivertrees.com for more information, or call (251) 988-8114.

Other places in Baldwin County to get Christmas Trees

Southern Hollow Tree Farm
16203 Old Ganey Road, Bay Minette
(251) 753-4180

Belforest Landscaping
26250 Alabama Highway 181, Daphne
8 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
(251) 422-5142