Meet
Our Growers
Kintigh
Family
Bob and Margaret Kintigh, of Springfield, Ore., have
been farming Christmas trees for more than 50 years.
In 1956, they purchased a 160-acre parcel that included
several acres of 15-year-old, natural Douglas Firs.
The Kintighs went on to acquire additional land, and
now they manage a 249-acre Christmas tree farm. Dedicated
to leaving the property more productive than when they
acquired it, the Kintighs have executed a plan to practice
sustainable forestry and help local wildlife. Their
sustainable forestry practices have resulted in a thriving
nursery and Christmas tree business, as well as an arboretum
with more than 30 kinds of fir tree species. The farm’s
environmentally friendly practices attract a plethora
of wildlife. Ponds located on their property attract
wild geese, ducks and herons. Numerous birdhouses attract
songbirds and swallows, and a pair of eagles recently
nested in one of the largest “legacy trees.”
Bob served as a state senator for Oregon for 12 years
as the first forester to ever be elected to the Oregon
Senate. He was chairman of the Agriculture and Natural
Resources Committee and vice chairman of the Water Resource
Committee. The Kintigh Family Limited Partnership plans
to continue production on their sustainable farm for
generations to come.
KLM Tree Farm
Founded in 1979, Mark and Luanne Steelhammer’s
KLM Tree Farm is a family operation. KLM Tree Farm is
located between Seattle and Portland in an area perfectly
conducive to growing the country’s best Christmas
trees. Striking a balance between size and selection,
the Steelhammer’s farm is large enough to produce
a wide variety of trees, but small enough to offer personal
attention to each of their customers. During the trees’
cultivation on the farm, they are sheared into shape,
hand clipped and carefully monitored to prevent pests.
When harvest time begins, trees are individually baled
and transported via helicopter to ensure they arrive
at your home fresh and green. Trees are also mechanically
shaken before delivery to minimize mess. The Steelhammer
family is dedicated to delivering high-quality Douglas
and Grand Firs for many Christmases to come.
Silver Mountain Christmas
Trees
The Heater Family has been farming the same land for
more than 150 years. Ever since the family arrived in
Oregon in the mid 1800s, their farmland has been active
as the family’s main source of income. Located
in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, Silver Mountain
Farms is known for their top-quality, beautiful firs
– specifically its Noble firs, which are produced
exclusively in the Pacific Northwest. The Heater clan
is led by Shirley and James Heater with help from their
three grown children and their spouses. The eight grandchildren
now growing up on the farm represent the seventh generation
of Heaters to live the life of a Pacific Northwest Christmas
tree farmer.
Not only has the Silver Mountain Christmas Tree farm
been around longer than most, but they also observe
safe, sustainable farming practices. In addition to
their thriving Christmas tree business, the farm includes
a conifer nursery, where seedlings are produced for
use by state reforestation companies.
