Jessica Foster
Staff Writer

When folks pick out a tree at Mansmithís Christmas Tree Farm, they stop, smile and pose for a memory. It has become tradition at the Forest Lake farm for customers to pose with their trees. When they return the following year they can search the wall of photos and claim their snapshot.

The wall of memories is just one of the traditions at Mansmithís Christmas Tree Farm, 23595 Elmcrest Ave. N.

When a little boy stopped in the gift shop last week, toy chainsaw in hand, he walked directly to where Mansmith keeps the plate of cookies and hot apple cider.

Itís an annual treat.

Finding the perfect Christmas tree, meeting with old friends and meeting new, shopping for handcrafted decor in the gift shopóitís all part of the experience at Mansmithís Christmas Tree Farm.

Each year, Paul Pranghofer travels to Mansmithís Christmas Tree Farm. Pranghofer keeps coming back, he said, because of the proprietor in the red cap.

ìYouíre not going to find a nicer guy,î he said.

While Pranghofer was proud of this yearís pick, he said it is the manger sceneóthe true meaning of the holidayóthat highlights his Christmas.

ìAnd I love getting together with family and friends,î he said.

On a Friday afternoon of the busiest weekend of the holiday season, Mansmithóthat man in the red capówas a busy, yet smiling man. He was a man seeing old friends. There were stories to tell, praises to be shared and hands to shake.

Mansmith is proprietor of the farm which is celebrating its 20th anniversary as a business, though its history dates back further.

Many customers celebrate that anniversary with him. Some joke if they didnít come to Mansmithís, Russ might call and ask why.

The Anbro family of Lino Lakes make their way to Mansmithís on an annual basis. A few years ago the family comprised of Maria, Jim, Matthew and Steve found the farm. Itís become a tradition to pick out their tree at Mansmiths.

ìRuss is very friendly and we just enjoy coming back,î Maria Anbro said. ìThe trees are really nice here. There is a nice homey feeling coming in here.î

The venture to pick out Christmas trees is one taken by happy people, Mansmith said.

ìIf you look at our pictures on the wall here you donít see anybody whoís not smiling,î he said.

Mansmith started planting Christmas trees in 1967 when he first moved to Forest Lake. At first, he and his family had the house with one acre of land. Then, he bought neighboring property and wanted to make something of the landóso he bought Christmas trees.

ìFor 10 years I just gave trees away,î he said.

When a local organization was looking for trees to sell, Mansmith offered up some of his. When it brought in enough money of pay for a family of fourís holiday, Mansmith discovered the blessing of his business.

He started selling trees out of his garage. Time went on and each year more and more people started coming to Mansmithís to get their trees. Mansmith now leases an additional 30 acres of land for trees.

Walking into Mansmiths, the smell of Christmas is enveloping. There are Balsam, Fraser and Canaan firs; Norway, White and Scotch pines and Colorado and White spruces.

ìAnything I tackle, I want to do it right,î he said.

Trees arenít sold until theyíre ready. Before the holidays begin, he goes through the property and puts tags on the trees for sale making the height, price and variety.

ìIf it takes a tree until its 10 or 12 feet tall to be a nice tree than so be it,î he said.

The farm is open the week before Thanksgiving. Some come early and put dibs on what they deem the perfect tree.

Mansmith is adamant on the value of real Christmas trees. He stresses trees can be recycled after Christmastimeóthat three trees are planted for every one that is chopped down.

ìThe Christmas tree is natures gift to us at Christmastime,î he said. ìNot only are real trees fresh and fragrant. They also are 100 percent biodegradable and trees can be recycled for a wide variety of uses.î

In 2003, every tree available at Mansmithís was sold.

ìEvery one of them went to bring joy to a family,î he said. ìThatís an awful lot of good feelings.î

Last year, Mansmith retired from his day job. After more than 40 years, he hung up his scissors at Russellís Barber Shop in Wyoming.

Walking through the grove of evergreens, Mansmith said he misses the people who used to come to his chair looking for a haircut.

At Christmastime, he gets a little bit of that back.

Hours

Mansmithís Christmas Tree Farm is open 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. -7 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Ideally, Mansmithís likes to close the week before Christmas.

To reach Mansmiths, head west on Broadway Ave. and take a right at Elmcrest.

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Forest Lake Times
P.O. Box 218
880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-464-4601
Fax 651-464-4605