TOWN OF OCONTO, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – After decades of providing a traditional staple of holiday cheer, the owners of Whispering Pines, a popular Christmas tree Farm in Oconto County, are calling it a career.
Many would agree, time is needed to grow a memorable tree. Experts say it could take about nine years for a typical evergreen to mature. And over the years the Vander Velden family has grown a lot of them.
“Mary and I and my dad started this in 1988 up here. We started with this. Just a cornfield. A cornfield I guess and a dream,” said Dave Vander Velden.
Thousands of evergreens are grown for customers, and competition too. Trees are winning contests at the state level and nationally as well.
Vander Velden gets to select a display tree for the vice-president’s home next year, but he tells FOX 11 his crowning achievement came in 2016 when a tree from Whispering Pines was delivered to the White House.
“It isn’t the tree. It’s the honor of presenting the tree.”
But after more than three decades, Vander Velden says his family is getting out of the business.
“The trees I plant today, I’ll be 72 when I harvest them. So I thought, it’s time, time to retire.”
The Vander Veldens sold Whispering Pines to Yeska Brothers Farms, out of Wild Rose. The deal was finalized in June.
So what does the future hold for Whispering Pines?
Randy Yeska tells FOX 11 the farm will continue to produce traditions and memories that grow along with it all.
“People will be tailgating I’m sure of that. We have Santa Claus here. Reindeer. All sorts of stuff. We have live animals.”
“The only person that won’t be here is me, and Mary and my dad. Other than that, it will be business as usual,” said Vander Velden.
“It’s been us for so long. This has been our identity. But it’s a good turnover. They’re a good family, the Yeskas, and it’s going to be wonderful. I can’t wait to come and visit,” said Mary Vander Velden.
Whispering Pines Tree Farm plans to open around November 9th.
