Tree Varieties Available at Gilbert Tree Farm, LLC
We grow the Murray Cypress/Leyland Cypress, Virigina Pine, Carolina Sapphire and Arborvitae Green Giant on our farm. Our number 1 seller is Murray/Leyland cypress followed by Virigina Pine then Carolina Sapphire. This is our first year to have Green Giant available.
We bring in our Fraser Fir from NC as a cut tree 2 days before we open. We pick the trees up and process them the next day by butt cutting, trimming low branches, drilling and displaying in water. They stay in water fresh till you take them home. This gives our customer the freshest Firs tree avaiable. Our storage area for firs is covered and those tree are also stored in water,
Murray Cypress
Murray Cypress is much like the Leyland Cypress in appearance, however features foliage that is slightly darker green and somewhat stronger branches than the Leyland cypress. Murray cypress has a very attractive shape and full branching overall. This species has very little aroma. Tree care is important and Murray cypress requires more frequent attention to watering when brought into a warm home. Murray cypress is becoming a popular species on choose and cut farms in southern states.
Virginia Pine
Virginia pine has branches that are stout and woody to support heavier ornaments. It has a rich piney fragrance and good needle retention when watered regularly. The tree is small to medium in size and its foliage becomes extremely dense. Virginia pine continues to be one of the more popular Christmas trees in the south and can be found primarily in Southern states.
Arizona Cypress–Carolina Sapphire
Carolina Sapphire is a cultivar of Arizona cypress that features foliage that is blue to gray-blue in color and upright branches. Arizona Cypress foliage it not “needle-like” but flat and lacey; much like cedar. Some people describe the scent of Arizona cypress as citrusy or minty. Typical of cypresses, Arizona cypress is subject to rapid drying in a warm home and consumers are encouraged to water regularly. Grown almost exclusively in southern states, a choose and cut farm is the most likely place to find this southern favorite.
Green Giant Arborvitae
Green Giant Arborvitae is a hybrid between Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) and Japanese Cedar (Thuja standishii). It was bred and selected in Denmark, then a sample was sent with some other selections to the National Arboretum in Washington, D.C. Its fast growth and large size quickly set it apart from the rest, but some poor record-keeping obscured its true hybrid identity for several more decades until the technology existed to determine its parentage. Green Giant demonstrates the concept of “hybrid vigor”, where the offspring surpasses both parents in size and growth. Like other Arborvitae, Green Giant is evergreen with feathery foliage in a pretty green color that provides year-round interest and privacy. The main thing that sets Green Giant apart from other types of Arborvitae is its fast growth rate. It is a new variety being added to Southern Christmas farms.
Fraser Fir
Fraser fir is native to high elevations of the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee. Fraser fir continues to increase in popularity for good reason. Fraser fir has blue-green needles with silvery undersides. The branches are stiff and hold up well to ornaments. The trees have a pleasant scent and needle retention is excellent. Fraser fir is widely available at all types of retail locations, typically east of the Rocky Mountains and at choose & cut farms in the mountains of North Carolina, the Virginias, the upper Great Lakes and the Northeast.