Christmas Tree Farm Prepares For Holiday

1,000 Trees Cut Down For Season

With Thanksgiving less than a week away, many people will be putting up Christmas trees soon.

Hoffbauer Tree Farm in Duluth has been providing trees and wreaths to the Northland for nearly three decades.

The 60 acres of land at the family’s farm got a workout this week.

“It’s always been the third weekend of hunting season that we cut trees,” said Jesse Hoffbauer, co-owner of Hoffbauer Tree Farm. “It’s been a tradition for 10 years.”

Over the weekend, friends and family have helped cut, bale, and stack over a thousand christmas trees to sell over the holidays. Growing and selling trees has always been part of this family’s life.

“We bought this property in the mid-80s and immediately started growing trees,” “Farmer Doug” Hoffbauer explained.

His son, Jesse, said he’s “learned to love trees” and is trying to learn to make it work with the family business.

For the last 20 years, the tree farm has relied on family and the community to help during the holiday season.

But recently, hockey players from Proctor High School have traded their sticks and skates for a chainsaw; all to help the Hoffbauer’s prepare their trees to sell.

“It’s a way for us to bond as a team, but with the community as well,” said Taylor Shaw, the junior varsity hockey coach at Proctor High School.

“It’s just been fun since i got out here,” said Reid Morin, a senior hockey player at Proctor. “I love doing it with my teammates and we have an awesome time.”