Christmas tree farmer brings joy to families

In the heart of Southfield, St Elizabeth, the scent of Christmas trees heralds the festive season, and a tradition cherished by families in the Belle Vue community.

Authentic trees - scientifically identified as Cupressus lusitanica or Mexican cedar - have become a part of Jamaican holiday tradition, and they are the preferred choice for many families during the holiday season. For those who can't afford a tree or don't venture out to cut one down, the communal display in the centre of each community elicits the same infectious excitement.

Christmas tree farmer Edward Richards, a retired forester with 43 years of experience in the field, now channels his passion into trimming Christmas trees for the holidays. For him, it's not just a financial endeavour, but a beloved hobby.

"This keeps me active, doing the pruning and all of those things keeps me in shape. Most mornings, I go down to the farm and I spend about two hours to groom them," he shared. In addition to his farm, he also brings Yuletide joy from a plot of Christmas trees behind his home. THE STAR team observed stumps left from recently cut trees, a testament to the demand that keeps him busy.

"We have been cutting trees from the last week of November, and every other day I am in Montego Bay delivering trees," he said. While his primary markets are in Montego Bay and Negril, Richards is thrilled that families from Manchester and St Elizabeth also participate in his 'Pick a Tree' promotion, which runs until December 22.

"A lot of folks come from Mandeville with their families to the farm to do their own cutting and their own selection. The kids especially love to come and get their trees," he further stated. "Nowadays, people are coming up from Treasure Beach, which is one of the leading rural tourism centres." Richards explained that the demand for his trees, which range from four to 12 feet in height, extends beyond households, as several establishments, including hotels also make requests.

Highlighting the love and authenticity of real Christmas trees, he opined, "For me, I don't believe in anything that is fake, I believe in the real thing. People do it for the smell because it is highly fragranced, and that is what people gravitate to. When you smell this you know that it is Christmas."

The lifespan of these festive companions extends until mid-January, their vibrancy depending on the stand on which they are placed and proper watering. Richards proudly shared that he's among the few farmers in western Jamaica maintaining 1,000 trees annually. Reflecting on his journey, he mentioned a mentor who inspired him to pursue this path.

"There was a farm in Malvern, but that gentleman died some years ago. He was my supervisor in forestry, and encouraged me and taught me everything I know," he said.

As he gets older, Richards hopes that someone will take up the challenge and continue this festive legacy. With two children living abroad, he said that he finds joy in the satisfaction of those who visit his farm or welcome his trees into their households. His passion for these Christmas trees, which thrive at altitudes of 2,000 feet and above, exemplifies the enduring spirit of tradition and community during Jamaica's festive celebrations.