By Karl Kazaks
Special to The Washington Post
Wednesday, November 29, 2006; C02
How far would you go for the perfect Christmas tree? Around Boone, N.C., just across the Virginia border, they come from all over. They come for the long mountain views, weekend cabins, cozy inns and the Blue Ridge Parkway. But mostly they come for the Fraser firs, the Cadillac of Christmas trees, which thrive at elevations of 3,000 feet and higher.
Because of the Fraser's popularity and its restricted growing region, the so-called High Country of northwestern North Carolina has become a major Christmas tree region. And with suburban growth chipping away at tree farm land around Washington and other cities, more tree seekers are making a weekend of it in places like Boone, which boasts dozens of cut-your-own places and other getaway amenities.
"It's part of our holiday," said Helen Diehl of Marietta, Ga., who next weekend will drive to Boone for an annual tree-cutting pilgrimage with a group of friends. "We all rent a house together and make it a big weekend."
Last year, tens of thousands of trees were sold at choose-and-cut Christmas tree farms in the Boone area, the heart of North Carolina's booming tree industry, about 6 1/2 hours from Washington. And it's not just cut-and-drive anymore. Before you fell your carefully selected tree, you can visit sheep or llamas at a petting zoo, take a ride on a hay wagon, sip cider or cocoa by a bonfire, marvel at antique farm implements or stop by a seasonal store stocked with crafts, wreaths and local goods.
"We bring the whole family," said Mary Ryan of Wilson, N.C., whose clan gathers from as far as Chicago for a yearly tree-cutting weekend. Every year they rent a cabin and spend a long weekend in the Boone area. "It's a good way to spend time with each other before the crazy holiday season," Ryan said.
North Carolina harvests about 6.5 million Christmas trees a year (second only to Oregon), and more than 90 percent of them are Fraser firs. The Fraser, partisans insist, is the ideal Christmas tree because of its deep color, pungent fragrance and densely packed needles that remain on the tree long after it's cut. The North Carolina Fraser has been chosen as the official White House Christmas tree nine times (most recently in 2005), more than any other tree.
But the High Country offers more than just groves of firs. Favored as a summertime getaway since at least the 19th century, the area has in recent decades become a popular four-season tourist destination, featuring ski resorts, regional theater and fine food. Here are some pointers for a tree-cutting weekend in the area:
TREE CUTTING: There are more than 20 tree farms in the Boone-High Country area. For contact information and directions, visit http://www.watauganurserymen.org/choose_cut.htm.
WHERE TO STAY: The Inn at Crestwood in Blowing Rock, located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, is on a ridgeline with great views and offers a spa and indoor pool; rates range from $170 to $400 a night or more; 877-836-5046, http://www.theinnatcrestwood.com/. Valle Crucis, a beautiful valley, is home to Mast Farm Inn, an elegant bed-and-breakfast. Eight rooms and seven cottages range from $175 to $450 and up; 888-963-5857, http://www.mastfarminn.com/. For rental cabins and houses, Foscoe Rentals has many listings, 800-723-7341, http://www.foscoerentals.com/; also see the visitors info site below.
EATING THERE: For gourmet cuisine, the most acclaimed spot is Artisanal Restaurant in Banner Elk, owned by a former chef at New York's Le Cirque; 4501 Tynecastle Hwy., 828-898-5395. Other top spots include Sirius, at the Inn at Crestwood (see above), which offers modern Southern cuisine and fantastic views of Grandfather Mountain. For wood-oven pizza, go to Bistro Roca, 143 Wonderland Trail, Blowing Rock, 828-295-4008; or Mulberry Street Trattoria, 179 Howard St., Boone, 877-264-4010.
BEING THERE: The Blowing Rock Stage Company will perform "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" through Dec. 10; http://www.blowingrockstage.com/. Appalachian State University 's Turchin Center for the Visual Arts is a worthy new museum in downtown Boone; http://www.turchincenter.org/. Mast General Store in Valle Crucis (828-963-6511) and Boone (828-262-0000) is a legendary purveyor of mercantile goods, hard candy and, now, modern outdoor gear and apparel; http://www.mastgeneralstore.com/.
INFO: Boone Convention & Visitors Bureau, 800-852-9506,http://www.visitboonenc.com/.
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There are other places to go for a weekend tree-cutting trip. Here are a few promising areas and see Weekend's list of closer-in farms ):
WHERE: Maryland's Garrett County, three hours west of Washington.
WHY: The mountain terrain offers good growing conditions for Christmas trees and inspiring vistas.
TREE FARMS: Mountain Top Tree Farm; on Route 219 two miles north of Oakland; 301-334-9506. Woodlake Tree Farm; 2858 Broadford Rd., between Deep Creek Lake and Oakland; 301-334-8342. Miller's Christmas Trees; Cranesville, W.Va. (about 10 miles west of Deep Creek Lake, call for directions); 304-789-2183.
WHERE TO STAY: Herrington Manor State Park has 20 furnished, full-service rental cabins between $80 and $100 a night for up to six people; 888-432-2267, http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/western/herringtonmanor.html. Carmel Cove Inn is a tranquil retreat on Deep Creek Lake; from $175 to $195; 301-387-0067, http://www.carmelcoveinn.com.
INFO: Garrett County Chamber of Commerce, 888-387-5237, http://www.garrettchamber.com.
WHERE: Berkeley Springs, W.Va., two hours west of Washington.
WHY: This tourist-friendly town has mountain charm, warm mineral springs and nearby tree farms.
TREE FARMS: Shriver's Christmas Trees, 576 Shriver Rd.; weekends only; 304-258-1159. Sleepy Creek Tree Farm, 37 Shades Lane; 866-275-8303.
WHERE TO STAY: The Sleepy Creek Mountain Inn is a restored log home with rates from $92 to $162, including breakfast (two-night minimum weekends); 877-258-0234, http://www.sleepycreekmountaininn.com. The Country Inn at Berkeley Springs has 62 rooms, five suites and a spa; rooms range from $49 to more than $200; 800-822-6630, http://www.theinnandspa.com.
INFO: Travel Berkeley Springs, 800-447-8797,http://www.berkeleysprings.com.
WHERE: Virginia's Nelson County, 2 1/2 hours south of Washington.
WHY: With elevations good for Christmas trees, Nelson County is a frequent Blue Ridge tourist destination.
TREE FARMS: Cub Creek Farm, 1246 Carter Hill Rd., Roseland; 434-277-8936. Ralph's Christmas Trees, 809 Bradley Lane, Vesuvius; 540-377-9490.
WHERE TO STAY: Wintergreen Resort, a popular skiing destination, has four restaurants and lodging ranging from condos to seven-bedroom homes, $159 and up; 800-926-3723, http://www.wintergreenresort.com. Located in Nelson County's Rockfish Valley, the Mark Addy Inn is a quiet retreat with 10 rooms and suites ($139 to $199) and a restaurant; 800-278-2154, http://www.mark-addy.com. Perched atop the mountain peak where Interstate 64 crosses the Blue Ridge, the Inn at Afton is conveniently located and has great views. Rooms are $60; 800-860-8559, http://www.theinnatafton.com.
INFO: Nelson County Convention and Visitors Bureau; 800-282-8223,http://www.nelsoncounty.com.
