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Mother Nature is gearing up for a wardrobe change as we head into the holidays, and so are we! This year, as in years past, we're offering fresh Christmas trees in most of our stores*. Many will be Fraser Firs fresh from the Blue Ridge Mountains, about 10 miles southeast of Sparta, North Carolina, and grown by family-owned and operated Bottomley Evergreens & Farms. Did you know that Fraser Firs are one of the most popular choices when it comes to bringing home a fresh tree for the holidays? With a dark green color, full shape, classic aroma, and excellent needle retention, no wonder the Fraser Fir holds onto all that glitz and glam so well! What’s your favorite reason for choosing a real tree? I think mine is that a well cared for tree can last up to three or four weeks, and who doesn’t love having that smell fill the air? Check out this slideshow about the Bottomley farm: Located in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, Bottomley Farms has been in operation since 1991 growing Christmas trees, pumpkins and vegetables. When Mitchell Bottomley was a child, he and his grandfather spent endless hours each winter tying evergreen garlands to sell for a little extra Christmas money. After his grandfather’s death in 1990, Mitchell turned that side-job into a booming business. In 2000, Mitchell Bottomley and his family expanded further, setting aside a small space on their family farm for pumpkin fields. That little space amidst a sea of evergreen trees has since grown to some 400 acres planted with more than 14 varieties of pumpkins. We are big fans of the Bottomley family, and the trees they grow, but we would love to know more about your favorite Christmas tree source! Do you have a favorite variety or local farm? Let us know! We hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday season…and don’t forget to recycle your trees! *Bottomley trees are available in stores in our Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, North Atlantic, South, Midwest, Southwest, Florida and Rocky Mountain regions. Our Pacific Northwest region will have Bottomley's Oregon-grown trees, and small “table top” trees are available in several regions as well. Stores in Mid-Atlantic, South and Midwest regions will have trees from local growers as well. Northern California stores will have trees from Washington state.