There are any number of hobbies that people throw themselves into. Golf is quite popular in the Carolinas. Cooking. Restoring old cars. Gardening. Home brewing is a trendy hobby. But no hobby is more unique than the one pursued by David Corn and his family in Granville County. They grow Christmas trees at the Corn Hill Christmas Tree Farm in Kittrell, NC. Not just a few for themselves and friends, but acres of them, selling hundreds a year.

It all started in 1985 when David Corn and his family visited a "Choose and Cut" tree farm up in the mountains. "We had such a great time, it was so much fun. I figured why don’t we create a farm here in Granville County," explains David. Fortunately, while his day job was with Nortel, he also lived on old farm land. David and his wife Cathy live on farm which, as David says, "came with the marriage." While the historical crop had been tobacco, the land was ripe and looking for a new crop.

They started planting trees in 1985, so the first harvest took place in 1991 – as the trees take 7 years to mature. An initial crop in 1991 has turned into hundreds of trees each year. This year alone, they will sell over 250 trees. While they cannot grow Frasier Fir (due to the climate), the farm does offer a wide array of options including Leyland Cypress, Carolina Sapphire, Blue Ice, Virginia Pines, and Silver Smoke. They also do sell a few Frasier Fir which they bring in from the mountains.

The farm opens up the Friday after Thanksgiving for cutting, though many families come by the weekend before to "tag" their tree – and then return later to cut the tree and take it home. While customers may walk away with a tree, David appreciates he is selling much more, "we really sell an experience and memories," he explains. "Much of our business is repeat year over year. We become part of their Christmas tradition."

Just as the tree farm has become part of other families’ tradition, it has also become an integral part of his own. His daughter Whitney and her husband Aaron Harris have joined him in growing and managing the farm, and are certainly the next generation of growers. David is also joined by seven grandchildren. As the names are rattled off: Jaycee, Wyatt, Reece, Colton, Jake, Nick, and Charlie, you realize they are growing up with a very special connection to their grandparents and the property. As Whitney tells it, the children are always out and about at the farm, lending a hand (as best they can) and picking up tips from customers (primarily for being cute!).

While the farm certainly sounds like a "labor of love", what is often lost is the extensive work that goes into making it all happen. New trees are planted each February and March, with the grounds around the trees requiring constant attention. Sheering takes place multiple times a year, and even then, only two-thirds make it to harvest.

Another unique feature of the Corn Hill Christmas Tree Farm is they grow their trees without using any chemicals or pesticides. "We just don’t think people want to put a tree in their home that has all kinds of chemicals in it," explains David. "We’d rather it be all-natural."

With the family focused on the trees, there is also an eye on the future. "We want to keep growing and open up more land for the trees," says Whitney. A Christmas shop and additional products such as blueberries and a greenhouse are also in the plans. For the 2021 crop she says they have some beautiful trees ready this year, but that the supply is limited of the larger trees, where the largest are 8 feet tall. They have also sourced some Fraser Firs from NC Mountains. They do anticipate all trees to be sold by December 5th so shop early.

For more information on the Corn Hill Christmas Tree Farm, and its Uniquely Carolina experience you can visit their website at www.cornhillfarms.com or call them at 919-395-2739. The farm is located at 3514 Cannady Mill Road in Kittrell, North Carolina.