The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Christmas tree farm is a labor of love for owner
Mountain Creek Tree Farm is a Christmas tree farm on 52 acres of farmland and woodlands in Concord Township.
Each weekday, Ken Reeves makes the onehour drive from his Concord Township home to his job in Westlake as an investment consultant and certified financial planner.
He is also busy nearly year-round as the co-owner of Mountain Creek Tree Farm, a Christmas tree farm on 52 acres of rolling farmland and woodlands in Concord Township.
Although the days are long, especially at this time of year, the 55-yearold Reeves enjoys opening up his property so families can cut their own trees and take them home for Christmas.
“I like the whole experience of seeing the joy it brings to the families and the memories they will have,” he said. “It’s less about finding the perfect tree and more about the experience of doing something together as a family.”
Reeves’ great uncle, attorney Orlin Goudy, originally bought the Williams Road property in 1925 as his country place.
Goudy, of Cleveland Heights, would drive to the farm to get away from the city.
“Someone talked him into doing Christmas trees in the late ’40s,” said Reeves. “My dad then took it over in 1979.”
In 1949, the first 1,000 trees were planted. In 1956, the first tree was cut.
Today, there are 14,000 trees growing on more than 25 acres.
Reeves now co-owns the farm with his 86-yearold father, Robert, and his cousin helps take care of the land. Reeves grew up in Willowick and has three children — two girls, ages 14 and 24, and a son, age 25.
His older children live out of the area, so much of the farm’s upkeep falls on Reeves and his cousin. However, he doesn’t mind.
“We really enjoy being in the outdoors,” Reeves said.
What sets Mountain Creek apart from other Christmas tree farms?
“You can go anywhere you want and take any tree you want,” said Reeves. “A lot of places restrict where people go. Plus, our overall ambiance is different. The property is drop-dead gorgeous. We’ve got woods all around us.”
The farm offers seven different varies of cut your own trees — white pine, Scotch pine, Fraser fir, grand fir, Canaan fir and blue and Norway spruce in all sizes.
There is also a large selection of premium trees in the farm’s pre-cut tree barn for sale.
Reeve’s favorite is the grand fir for its unique citrus smell.
The Mountain Creek tree cutting experience has evolved with the times.
“In the old days, it was pretty basic,” said Reeves. “Now, people want and expect to be entertained a bit more.”
And Reeves is happy to deliver.
For instance, Santa comes to the property each holiday season every Saturday and Sunday.
“We also have a sleigh I get out for people to take pictures on,” Reeves said. “We have a little stations for kids to make ornaments. On weekends, I also have a company come in that does kettle corn, roasted nuts and hot chocolate.”
People can also warm up beside a fire inside at the gift barn.
“It’s less about finding the perfect tree and more about the experience of doing something together as a family,” he said. “When you’re in your 40s, you may not remember what you got for Christmas, but you’ll always remember going out and getting a Christmas tree.”
Mountain Creek Tree Farm is open every day except Mondays through Christmas Eve. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays (and the Friday after Thanksgiving); 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.