20k trees: Family owned Christmas tree farm opens for silly season

Families looking for a ‘real’ Christmas tree this season can pick or tag their special tree out of 3000 at one of just three Christmas tree farms in Queensland.

Debbie and Chris Bunker are growing 20,000 Christmas trees on their farm in South Burnett.

A family-owned South Burnett business will open its gates to the public on Saturday, November 5, just in time for die-hard Christmas fans to get their trees up well and truly early this silly season.

Chrissy Trees 4 owners Debbie and Chris Bunker began growing trees 15 years ago,

The property on Reedy Creek Road, Kingaroy boasts 20 acres (8ha) of Christmas spirit with more than 3000 trees to choose from.

Mrs Bunker said she started by planting 100 trees when her children were in high school, she wanted to continue to be a stay at home mum while still making an income.

“From there we kept growing and growing. We now have a coffee shop with treats and a Christmas shop as well as a picnic area,” Mrs Bunker said.

“The trees take about four years to grow, we plant them all year round.

Debbie and Chris Bunker of Chrissy Trees 4 U

“We are currently growing 20,000 trees.

“Real trees are huge in NSW and Victoria and with a lot of Southerners moving to Queensland, we know we will sell out,” she said.

Kingaroy photographer Kimberley Anne will be offering 20 minute sessions at $280 for children, families and couples.

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From 9am-4pm on Saturday and Sunday, November 5-6, guests can pre-tag their tree of choice and can either collect or have the tree delivered in December during harvest season.

Mrs Bunker said Chrissy Trees 4 U provided trees to councils, churches and shopping centres all over Brisbane and Toowoomba and had visitors from all over the state.

“We love tourists coming to the farm; we have bus tour groups and families, some have been coming since they were kids and are now bringing their own kids,” Mrs Bunker said.

“My favourite part is the Christmas shop, it’s my happy place.

“This year we are working in conjunction with the Salvation Army by creating a Santa sack people can contribute gifts to which get donated to their toy drive.

“Each year we love doing a big event to bring a lot of people together,” she said.

From 9am-4pm on Saturday and Sunday, November 5-6, guests can pre-tag their tree of choice and can either collect or have the tree delivered in December during harvest season.

Christmas tree prices range from $70 for a 1.5m tree to $155 for a 2.7m tree.

Smaller potted trees are also available, starting at $40.

Originally published as 20k trees: Family owned Christmas tree farm opens for silly season