A balsam fir Christmas tree grown by Dave and Mary Vander Velden of Whispering Pines Tree Farm, Oconto, was named the grand champion Wisconsin Christmas tree by members of the Wisconsin Christmas Tree Producers Association. Voting took place at the association’s summer convention near Deer Park.
Whispering Pines has won the championship in four of the past five years.
In addition to the grand champion and first-place finish in the balsam fir class, the Vander Veldens were awarded reserve champion for their Fraser fir.
The Vander Veldens will represent their farm and all members of WCTPA when they present a tree to Gov. Scott Walker later this year. The tree will be displayed in the governor’s conference room.
As winners of the state contest, the Vander Veldens are eligible to enter the National Christmas Tree Association contest, which will be held in July in Illinois. The winner of the national contest has the honor of presenting a tree to the first lady of the White House.
The Vander Veldens have been growing trees on their farm in Oconto County for more than 25 years. They currently grow several species of trees on approximately 150 acres.
They operate a choose-and-cut farm, which includes activities such as visiting with Santa and riding in a horse-drawn wagon or the Whispering Pines Express train. A candy store is popular with the children, while adults enjoy shopping in the holiday ornament shop at the lodge, where hot cocoa and other snacks are available.
The Vander Veldens also make wreaths and garland to sell, and they operate a retail tree lot in Green Bay.
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