The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
IT JUST NEEDS THE TRIMMINGS
Kurtz Christmas Trees builds on decade of growing quality trees
A Brighton Township business is building on its decades of providing quality Christmas trees for customers in the area.
“I’ve been doing this for 53 years, my wife (Kay Kurtz) and I bought it that year,” said Jim Kurtz, owner of Kurtz Christmas Trees, at 22350 Quarry Road.
“I planted trees that year, and I’ve planted trees every year since.
“The sales season starts
in mid-November. We started out with Scots pine and blue spruce, but the market has changed.
“Now, it’s primarily Canaan fur and white pine, those are primarily the trees that I raise. I also have Fraser fir and Douglas fir that I bring in.”
Kurtz said he is open every day this time of year.
“Selling the trees is primarily my operation,” he said, “I’m open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., every day now that I’m in the sales season.”
Kurtz said this is time when he sells the trees, but the business does have him working year round.
“Selling the trees is primarily my operation I’m open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., every day now that I’m in the sales season.” — Jim Kurtz, owner
“It’s a difficult business,” he said. “I start planting the trees in April. In May, I start to mow. In June and July, I trim. In August, I still take care of the mulching and mowing. In September, I take the seedlings from biodegradable fiber pots, I auger a hole and plant the potted trees.
“The advantage for me is I can put the seedlings in good, rich potted soil so my trees have a better chance of surviving. I have about six acres in trees. It takes about 10 years for the trees to get to seven feet tall. I have the tree fields, and I bring trees out front here for folks to purchase this time of year.”
Kurtz said it was his wife’s idea to sell wreaths.
“My wife passed away nine years ago,” he said. “She started the wreath business about 25 years ago. She started making them, she taught herself how to make them and she passed it on to local high school girls.
“I then have my wreath makers teach younger high school girls and the skill has continued for local high school girls working for me by making the wreaths. We sell over a 100 wreaths a year and over 500 trees.”
Kurtz said the business has added delivery due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
“On the website this year because of COVID, you can call and we will deliver a tree,” he said. “We’ve had customers take advantage.
“I also ask folks that come in person to wear masks and practice all the protocols. We understand if folks are worried about health. It goes along with customer service that we offer with great prices and quality trees.”
Kurtz said the business grows every year.
“We keep getting more customers each year,” he said. “I started to increase my planting about four years ago to meet demand; 70 to 80 percent of my business is repeat.
“I get a lot of the same folks every year, and they are great people. That is what makes it worth while for me, people celebrating the birth of Jesus with one of our trees.”
For more information and to set up a delivery, visit www. kurtzchristmastrees.com or call 440-328-9140.