In the Press

The following article was written by Jeffrey Hogan.

Area Christmas tree grower earns award - Dr. Peter Mutch recognized as new grower

LAPEER TWP - Lapeer dentist and Christmas tree grower, Dr. Peter Mutch, has turned a hobby into a growing business and in the process gained the respect and gratitude of the Michigan Christmas Tree Association.  On Saturday at the 200-member association's annual meeting in Mount Pleasant, Mutch was presented with the New Grower Award.

Mutch was chosen for his honor by his fellow Christmas tree growers in recognition of his impact on Michigan's Christmas tree industry in a short period of time.  Mutch planted his first tree in 1993 and opened his 80-acre farm, Mutch's Hidden Pines on West Newark Road in Lapeer township, to the public in 2002.

"We bought this farm with the intention of growing Christmas trees, " said Mutch.  "It's a lot of work, but a lot of fun too. My whole family is pretty much involved, especially in the holiday season. We really enjoy it.  It's nice to be able to do something with the family that they actually enjoy too."

Mutch joined the MCTA before planting his first tree and was elected to the MCTA board of directors before his first harvest. Mutch currently serves as the secretary/treasurer of the organization. He is joined in the business by wife, Nancy, and grown sons Andy and Nathan.

Mutch and his family operate 50 acres of the farm property in Christmas tree production, where they have between 50,000 and 55,000 trees planted. They plan to plant another 4,500 trees in early April.

"We primarily grow blue spruce, Douglas and Fraser firs on our farm," said Mutch of his choose and cut operation. "They seem to be the most popular trees."

Mutch's Hidden Pines typically opens the Friday after Thanksgiving and operates through Christmas. "We may open up during the week this year because of the demand for wreaths and trees. It's really taken off, " said Mutch.

This was the first year that the MCTA presented the New Grower Award.

"I'm honored by the award," said Mutch. "I really enjoy working for the association. They're good people and let's face it - it's just fun to grow Christmas trees. They bring so much pleasure to people."

The following article was in The County Press, Sunday, December 7, 2003.

Tree Farm owners begin second year of sales

Christmas procrastinators looking for that perfect tree have a pretty good chance of finding one and they only need venture as far as Mutch's Hidden Pines.

The Christmas tree farm, owned and operated by Marlette natives Peter and Nancy Mutch, is spread out over 80 acres and holds approximately 40,000 trees in various stages of development.

The farm is one mile south of Interstate 69 at 303 West Newark Road in Lapeer Township. It comes complete with a restored, heated barn and a family who loves to share their Christmas joy with others.

"Christmas trees were always big things with us, even before we had this farm, " Peter said. "We decided to get involved in with it because we knew other people who were doing it and it looked like it would be fun. Yeah, it would be nice to make money on it but having fun with it was the main reason we started it. This is my golf time."

Peter, a Lapeer dentist and Nancy, a school teacher, began their planting their first seedlings in 1993 and harvested their first crop in 2002. Both had small town backgrounds but neither had any farming experience.

Along with their sons, Andy and Nate, the family takes care of everything from planting the trees to sculpting and grooming them.

"Running a tree farm is much more involved than just planting a bunch of trees, " Peter said. "It's a big commitment both time-wise and work-wise. A lot goes preparing the land and since you can't afford it all at once, you pick up the equipment you need along the way. The way we have to figure it is that the trees that we plant now aren't going to be ready for 10 years. We have to have a long term projection because it's not a one-year crop."

Like any other crop, Peter said it is a year-round job.

"Just like regular farming, you are never caught up, " he said. "During our down time from January to March we work on fixing equipment and maybe get away to go fishing or something. In the summer, if I'm not doing dentistry, I am doing trees from planting season in April right up until we open the farm around Thanksgiving."

While their fields grew, the Mutchs also restored an 1860's barn in which they installed a heating system to keep their visitors warm.

That's where you'll find Nancy making wreaths and evergreen centerpieces, teaching other how to make them and searching for other items of nostalgia. Last year, guests built and took home 80 wreaths.

The barn provides a warm, friendly environment for visitors who can find everything from Christmas stockings to shaker boxes. During the tree-cutting season, Nancy also provides free hot chocolate for the guests.

Santa Claus can also be found in the barn and is available for pictures from 10am to 4pm.

To help families find their perfect tree, the Mutchs offer a wagon ride to the field where customers can cut their own trees or have them cut.

The farm features Fraser, Douglas and balsam firs as well as blue spruce and other varieties such as Scotch pine. The Mutchs sell all sizes of trees up to 10 feet.

"With people building bigger houses with higher and higher ceilings they are looking for taller trees," Peter said. "I think the demand for bigger trees is starting to build."

Peter grades the trees "average" and "good" and that grade determines the cost to consumers. Every tree is individually marked.

"The price is based on footage of the tree out in the field," Peter said. "On the average, a 7-8 foot tree can go for around $40. The smaller the tree, the less the cost, the larger the more."

Peter said the not-so-perfect trees are marked with blue tags to be made into wreaths.

After picking out their trees, visitors can take advantage of free shaking, drilling and bailing in the barn. Shaking removes the excess needles while the drilling process involves driving a spike six inches up from the bottom of the tree, making it stand more securely in some Christmas tree stands. A bailer is used to tie up the tree and package it nicely so people can drive it home on the top of their car without damaging the branches or blocking their vision.

While supplies last, everyone who purchases a tree gets a free tree ornament.

The Mutchs said they sold about 500 trees in 2002.

"Our business is basically concentrated into nine days," Peter said. "Business is real good on Saturdays and Sundays. Bad weather isn't always good, but it doesn't always keep people away."

Mutch said because they are in the early stages of the business they don't raise their expectations too high.

"It hasn't been a profitable business for us yet," he said. "I think profitability is a few years down the road. But when we started this business, profit didn't figure in. It's a nice way for a family to have a hobby together. The kids, everyone, like the different aspects of it. The nice thing for us is that the farm works good into everyone's schedule. I am hopeful that some day it will all make sense."

The farm is open from 9am to 5pm Saturdays and Sundays until Christmas. It is open during the week by appointment only. For more information or to set up an appointment, call 667-2711.