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Owasso couple still selling, growing Christmas trees 35 years after starting business

Posted at 8:37 PM, Dec 12, 2016
and last updated 2016-12-13 07:22:19-05

OWASSO, Okla. -- A trip to the Owasso Christmas Tree Farm has become tradition for generations of Green Country families.

Bill Jacobs, who owns the farm, said he has seen family trees grow alongside the Christmas trees they come to cut down every year during the holiday season.

"It's kind of mind-boggling to know that our Christmas trees are in the homes of thousands and thousands of people every year," Jacobs said. "It's a real nice thing to know."

He runs the farm with his wife, Paula. "It's like a family reunion almost," she said. "People come in that have been shopping with us for 25 years, and of course we have to stop and talk about how the family's been."

The Jacobs planted their first Christmas trees 35 years ago, and the hobby they intended to pursue as a project in retirement quickly grew to become a big business.

"What we say is it's a hobby that got out of control," Bill said, laughing.

"As Owasso grows, we grow," Paula added. "Every year we have done a little bit better than the last year."

The Jacobs said it's almost impossible to keep track of the number of trees they have sold over the years. They, however, did some calculations during a particularly busy weekend recently, and they determined that they normally sell one tree every 45 seconds during the peak times.

"We have people from Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma City, Texas. It's unbelievable that people will drive as far as they drive to buy our Christmas trees," Bill said.

"There are not many Christmas tree farms left around," he added, "so if they want that experience, they look for a place to go. A lot of them come to our place."

Customers can visit the Jacobs' gift store, too, where they say holiday cheer is always in stock.

"We like for it to be a family experience, something for the kids to remember," Paula said. "I get a lot of hugs. It's very rewarding."

Paula calls their business a place where she meets "very few Scrooges."

"We just have a lot of friends," she said, "and it's such a happy business."

The Jacobs said they expect their farm to remain a destination for years to come, but they said people may be surprised to learn that none of their trees will end up in their own home.

"By the time we get through here," Bill said, "we've all the Christmas trees we need."

The Owasso Christmas Tree Farm is located at 11039 N. 129th East Avenue in Owasso. The farm is open Monday to Friday, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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