Rocking Around the Christmas Tree Farm

School is nearly out, the heat sets in and it is officially time to dust off the Christmas decorations and put up the tree. But this annual ritual often sparks a longstanding debate. When it comes to Christmas trees, do you opt for real or fake?

 

For Yeowarra’s Tim McMahon, there’s only one answer. “One hundred per cent, nothing beats the real deal,” exclaims Tim. He might be slightly biased though. As the owner of Yeowarra Tree Farm, about an hour out of Geelong, Victoria, Tim works tirelessly to ensure the fresh scent of pine fills homes for the holiday season.

 

Specialising in wholesale Christmas trees, the farm’s pruned trees are amongst the best in the country. Each year Tim and his team harvest thousands of trees for wholesalers across Australia, and their business continues to grow.

 

Tim says purchasing a real Christmas tree is growing in popularity, thanks to advances in farming technology.

 

“There’s a misconception that real trees are hard to maintain and messy, however over the years, with genetic selection, the trees have a higher density foliage and higher retention of needles. Whereas fake trees are made from artificial material which is non-recyclable and eventually ends up in landfill. Plus, you can’t beat the smell of a real tree. You just don’t get it with the fake ones.” That scent is overwhelming on the Yeowarra property.

 

The land was originally purchased by Tim’s grandfather in the mid-1970s. The intention was to train horses and run cattle. When Tim’s parents took over the business in the 1980s, they planted the farm’s very first row of Christmas trees. As the trees grew, so too did a new passion.

“It all started as an experiment. They just sort of went for it,” explains Tim, “and they never looked back.I had a fantastic childhood, really idyllic. We all chipped in on the farm. Even as a kid, I loved the work!” Today sustainability is a significant focus at Yeowarra Tree Farm. Ninety-nine per cent of the trees harvested at the farm are sent to wholesalers, which results in minimal waste.

 

“We’re also finishing our carbon neutral certification for our trees, which shows that our products are removing the same amount of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere that the production creates.

 

This process will provide feedback on how to make our operations more sustainable.

 

“It also provides our customers with peace of mind that they are purchasing a product that is not harming the planet. We’re proving that you can have a real tree in your home every year, forever, with zero impact to the planet. That really excites us. That’s something you don’t get with a plastic Christmas.”

Tim studied engineering when he finished school. He now lives somewhat of a double life, commuting to Melbourne part-time to work as an engineering consultant. The rest of the week and the weekends are spent tending to the farm.

 

“I love the balance it provides, and I’m so lucky I’m able to spend time in both industries. It allows me to combine my two passions and establish efficiencies and innovation on the farm.

 

“October marks the start of our sprint season,” explains Tim. “That’s when we start preparing for harvest, and we have a larger workforce join us.

 

“Harvest usually starts around November 20. Then it’s all systems go.” With sustainability goals driving his business, Tim does not shy away from innovating or using new technology to aid in the operational activities on his farm. “Working with a software developer company, I helped create our own workforce and operations management software. It helps us manage tasks and provides valuable data to help make informed decisions about our operations on the farm.”