‘Twas the night before April and throughout the homestead, the Voisine family braces for the hard work ahead.
For tomorrow begins their Christmas tree prep in hopes this year’s harvest will be the best yet…
Welcome to the Allagash View Christmas Tree Farm where three generations of Voisines are trimming, topping and tagging Fraser and Balsam Firs destined to adorn houses throughout Maine and Massachusetts. For the past seven years, their holiday season has begun April 1st when the family begins fertilizing and shaping the trees – giving them individualized attention.
“We select and grade each tree with the customer in mind,” says Amy Voisine who runs the day-to-day operations of the farm. “We go on deliveries, so we hear first-hand what families are looking for in their tree.”
Voisine Brothers Inc. is prominent throughout Northern Maine. Ben and Joe, along with their dad, Gary, have operated an award-winning logging business for decades. Wanting to expand and diversify their business portfolio, they began looking for additional opportunities and found a Christmas Tree farm for sale.
“Logging is extremely hard work,” says Ben. “I wanted to invest in something that I could still be doing and enjoying when I am 60 years old. The farm provides us that opportunity, and we have the whole family involved, including our kids.”
"Logging is extremely hard work. I wanted to invest in something that I could still be doing and enjoying when I am 60 years old. The farm provides us that opportunity, and we have the whole family involved, including our kids."
The 200-acre farm, located in New Canada, Maine, enables the Voisines to produce roughly 7,000 Christmas trees annually. They’ve found customers prefer Fraser Firs for their thick and sturdy needles or Balsams for their traditional look and evergreen smell. Along with the trees, they also create holiday wreaths and garland for families in the area.
“I’ve known Ben and Joe since they were young,” says Milton Cat® Sales Representative Don Labrie. “To witness and be part of their success is wonderful. The Allagash View Farm is a fantastic addition to their business as well as this region of Maine.”
To grow the ideal Christmas tree takes roughly ten years. Harvest season begins each year in early November when Maine is realizing the first signs of winter. It’s cold, damp and cloudy, but the tall pines and bright green branches create a breathtaking view.
“To know my family is part of other families’ holiday traditions is incredible.” Ben adds, “We get emails from our customers telling us how happy they are with their tree and sharing pictures of it decorated. It is a big deal, and we’re grateful to be part of it.”
Take a moment to enjoy the hard work that goes into creating the holiday season’s focal point.
