Staff File Photo by Gillian Bolsover
Kent Hartzog waters the trees at the Weaver Tree Farm stand on Signal Mountain Road.* What: Christmas trees
* Company: Weaver Tree Farms Inc.
* Address: 308 Signal Mountain Road
* Telephone: 266-3336
* Owner: John Weaver
* What's special: Weaver Tree Farms owner John Weaver said that the company's long-standing presence in Chattanooga has helped build strong, long-lasting relationships with its customers. "Our wholesale is probably the nuts and bolts of our business, but the retail gives us a chance to be hands-on and see our friends," he said. "We consider many of the people in town our family because we've been around them so long. That's why we keep coming back."
* The origin story: Weaver's father and uncle started Weaver Tree Farms Inc. in 1967. Weaver said he bought out his uncle's share about 20 years ago. The company's first retail lot in Chattanooga opened in 1986.
* How long does it take to make: Seedlings are raised for 6 to 7 years in the Weaver farm nursery in West Jefferson, N.C., before being transplanted to the fields. Trees grow at the rate of a foot a year, so a 6- to 8-foot tree will be about 13 years old, Weaver said.
* Where it's sold: At its height Weaver Farms operated six retail lots in Chattanooga. Their only remaining lot is at 308 Signal Mountain Road.
* How long have they been growing them? The Weaver family began growing Christmas trees in 1967.
* Future expansions planned: John Weaver said the company is considering opening more retail locations in Chattanooga, but that will depend on resolving staffing issues.
* Lessons of the trade: "I guess the biggest lesson I've learned is one of the main lessons in life, which is to not forget those less fortunate than we and to help everyone you can to make everyone's Christmas experience fun," Weaver said.