A tree grown in Oconto County was selected as a state winner in a contest organized by the Wisconsin Christmas Tree Producers Association at its summer convention.
Dave and Mary Vander Velden of Whispering Pines Tree Farm, Oconto, and Tom Happersett of Happ’s Homegrown Christmas Trees, Neshkoro, were the co-champions in the annual event. Members in attendance voted for the best tree in each of five classes and for an overall grand champion.
Whispering Pines has won the championship for thee of the past four years.
The winners will present a tree to Gov. Scott Walker to be displayed in the state Capitol in December. The growers are also eligible to enter the National Christmas Tree Association contest, which will be held in August 2014. The winner of the national contest will present a tree to the first lady in the White House.
The Vander Veldens have been growing trees on their farm in Oconto for more than 25 years. They grow several species of trees on approximately 150 acres and operate a choose-and-cut farm, which includes visits with Santa and rides on a horse-drawn wagon or the Whispering Pines Express train. Along with the cut-your-own farm, the Vander Veldens also make wreaths and garland and operate a retail tree lot in Green Bay.
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