Hickory Ridge Tree Farm a main source for natural trees

ALEXANDRIA - Despite the chilly weather and constant mist, families braved the elements to bring in their Christmas trees for the holiday on Saturday.

James Rieppel, whose family owns and operates the Hickory Ridge Tree Farm in Alexandria, said people started coming to collect their trees since the previous week.

"We were especially busy Friday; the weather was perfect for people to come out," he said.

Saturday's weather wasn't enough to deter several families from venturing out to collect that perfect tree, though.

Tim Caldwell, of Newark, came out to find a tree with his wife, honoring a family tradition.

"Usually we bring my daughter, her husband, and her in-laws along, and we find a tree together," he said. "This year though, they have a two-year-old, so it just wasn't going to happen today."

The Bunstine family has been coming to Hickory Farm since they moved to Alexandria in 1995.

"That's 20 years we've been coming here," Jennifer Bunstine said. "Since we live right across the street, we bring the whole family along."

The family was hunting for two trees this year, one small and one big. The small tree was just under eight feet tall, and the larger tree was so big, Dave and his son Wyatt couldn't carry it, having to drag it along the road until Karl Rieppel could get it with his tractor and wagon.

The Hardesty family returned for their 30th year of finding a tree at Hickory Ridge, bringing a box of donuts for Rieppel and his workers to mark the occasion.

"We started coming here before our baby was born, and we come out every year," Barbara Hardesty said. "These people are just the nicest family you'll ever meet, and I mean that."

Hardesty said that this year she brought two new families out to Hickory Ridge this year and that the Hardesty family will be back again next year.

"People have asked us to see if we'll go to any other farm, but these guys just have the best trees there are," she said.

Hickory Ridge began growing Christmas trees in 1957. With 65 acres planted and six tree varieties, there are options.

"It's hard to say how many trees we sell in a day. But when the weather is good, the flow of customers is pretty constant," James Rieppel said.

The farm is a third-generation family farm, with two generations still active and working.

"My brother John and I work here with our father Karl," Rieppel said. "Perry, our grandfather, is the one who started the farm.

"We get a lot of returning customers each year. Some of them have seen me grow up as they come back year after year."

Hickory Ridge Farm is located on 3363 Johnstown-Alexandria Rd., in Alexandria. They are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. throughout the holiday season.