One of the pleasures of home on a Christmas morning is waking to the smell of fresh pines. For more than 20 years, the family-owned Watson’s Christmas tree farm has been spreading that homely warmth and holiday spirit to families across Jamaica.

Nestled in the cool, misty Blue Mountains, Watson’s Christmas Trees operates a two-acre farm in Penlyne Castle, where 65-year-old Rudolph Watson and his family grow and harvest Christmas trees.

What began as a transportation service in the 1980s has blossomed into a thriving seasonal operation, providing not only trees but jobs to members of the surrounding community.

“My dad used to transport Christmas trees back in the 80s and then he just decided that why not plant his own Christmas trees and make some of the money also,” said Watson’s son Ragell. “It’s a good business in terms of making money and providing for the family and also providing jobs for people in the community.”

The business sells between 100 and 200 Christmas trees annually, and with a growing market paired with a three-year maturity period for the trees, Ragell stressed the importance of planning their harvest to meet the demand of their expanding customer base.

“We supply the farm every year because we cut Christmas trees every year and if you don’t supply it, then you’re going to lose the market. And every year, the market keeps on getting bigger and bigger… A friend tells a friend, they come and get a good tree so they’re going to keep on telling persons and the business keeps on growing so we have to be planting more trees every year to supply our customer base,” Ragell explained.

Harvesting begins around late November and stretches into December, leading up to Christmas Eve. The family carefully inspects each tree to determine if it’s ready for harvest based on its size, fullness, and appearance.

“We have year-to-year customers who call. They will actually put in their order as to what size tree they want, how tall, how broad, and we’ll cut it,” he added.

The trees grow in the ideal climate of the Blue Mountains where the cool temperatures and ample sunlight help them thrive. Unlike agriculture farmers who have had a rough year, the recent heavy rains have been favourable for the Watsons’ tree farm, nourishing the soil and allowing the trees to flourish.

However, several landslides along the mountain roads have made access to the farm more difficult, something that is likely to impact prices this year.

The cost of a tree varies depending on its size, with a four-foot tree typically priced around $10,000 — at an anticipated rate of $2,500 per foot. This price can increase with additional delivery and set-up charges.

“It all depends on where the person is, probably $5,000 or more for transportation and then to set up the tree now you know that’s going to be an additional cost of $2,500,” Ragell said.

He noted, however, that customers have the option of picking up their own trees in Half-Way-Tree, where they sell them yearly at Lane Plaza right in front of Burger King and Sakura.

Though the farm is a far distance, customers do also have the option of visiting and picking out their own tree. And for those who can’t make it to the farm, Ragell noted that technology makes it easier to choose a tree remotely.

“Customers can call or we send a video, or so forth, so they can choose a tree,” he said.

With the Christmas tree business being seasonal, the farm also grows coffee throughout the year for sustainability while Ragell and Spaulding balance other jobs and school.

As for the reason to purchase a natural Christmas tree, Ragell explained, “It’s the scent. Once you smell the Christmas tree, then you just know that it is Christmas.”

Spaulding added, “What better way to wake up on a Christmas morning than with your gifts under a natural, live Christmas tree?”

Founder of Watson’s Christmas Trees Rudolph Watson (Gavin Jones)

Founder of Watson’s Christmas Trees Rudolph Watson (centre) with his son Ragell Watson (left) and nephew Romane Spaulding share a moment on their family-owned and operated Christmas tree farm. (Gavin Jones)