They've been providing Christmas memories for families throughout the area for over sixty years. Wilbert and Peg Matthes have built a life and a farm that puts just about anyone in the holiday spirit.
Take Secor Road north until you get to Lulu Road in Ida. That's where you'll find the Matthes evergreen tree farm. Peg Matthes will help you find her husband of 60 years, Wilbert.
In 1953, this husband and wife team started planting pine trees, at first just a few. Then, Peg says, “one year he planted several thousand. And his dad said, ‘Boy, what you going to do with those trees?'” They decided to sell Christmas trees and over the decades Matthes has grown into one of the largest Christmas tree farms in Michigan.
Not only can you pick and cut your own tree, you can visit Santa, have some hot chocolate, warm up in the barn or wreath shop. Workers assemble hundreds of handmade wreathes for sale in the shop.
Over the years it's the memories of families celebrating the holiday season that make the hard work of running a farm worthwile. The Matthes family has made it their business to provide holiday memories for nearly 60 years.
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