Growing Holiday Memories

Creating family traditions at Ohop Ridge Christmas Tree Farm

Story and photos by Rick Stedman

A holiday tradition for many families is
bringing home a fresh Christmas tree
right after Thanksgiving. One of the go-to
places in the Eatonville area is Ohop Ridge Christmas Tree Farm.

“We open every year the day after
Thanksgiving,” says Denise Roosendaal,
one of the owners of the farm. “This is
an exciting time at Ohop Ridge when
everyone’s in the holiday spirit, and a rush
of families visit the farm to select their
perfect tree for Christmas.”

The farm is open for two weekends
each year—Thanksgiving weekend and the
weekend after. Around 600 families visit
the farm during the season.

This family-owned and operated U-cut
Christmas tree farm opened in 2010. It
was the brainchild of Mike and Denise
Roosendaal, but it’s truly a family affair.

Across its 6 acres devoted to growing
Christmas trees, Ohop Ridge Christmas
Tree Farm features several varieties of
trees. These include corkbark, Nordmann,
balsam, Turkish, noble, Danish, Shasta,
grand and Douglas fir.

Mike is responsible for keeping the
trees in good shape and ensuring there are
plenty to choose from each holiday season.

“Thanks to the Puget Sound Christmas
Tree Association, I’ve learned a great deal
about planting and maintaining trees,” he
says.

The Farm Experience
After parking their vehicles, visitors with
small children can explore Tractorland.
This small area features battery-operated
tractors for little ones to ride on and get
into the holiday spirit.

Next, families climb on a People
Mover—a trailer towed by a tractor
affectionately dubbed the Ohop Uber—
to the upper area of the farm where the
Christmas trees await. Visitors are provided
knee pads and hand saws for their U-cut
experiences.

Staff members circulating through the
area assist visitors with loading their trees
onto a trailer to be taken back to the retail
area.

“Our Santa helpers offer free shaking
and bailing of trees, and assisting in
delivering trees to families’ vehicles,” says
Delaney Butler, the farm’s event specialist
and daughter of Mike and Denise.

Back down at the arrival and parking
area, visitors can browse the small retail
shop that sells Christmas-themed trinkets.
Coffee and hot cocoa are also for sale.
Free to all little ones are candy canes and
Christmas tree coloring books. It’s also
rumored that Santa has a special surprise
for all the little ones: A small stuffed
animal.

“We love helping our customers create
core family experiences,” says Delaney,
who covers the creative marketing side of
the business. “We like to call them family
tree-ditions.

New Venture at Ohop Farm
Within the 20-acre farm, the Roosendaals
and Butlers have dedicated 2 full acres to
host weddings and other significant events.

“A wedding at Ohop Ridge Christmas
Tree Farm is like a wedding straight out of
a fairytale,” Delaney says.

The first wedding held at the farm was
when Delaney and Cody Butler exchanged
vows in the summer of 2021.

The unique wedding venue features
plenty of delightful spaces and amenities.

“Everything on our property has been
hand built by our family with blood, sweat
tears and a few beers,” Delaney says. “We
feel very passionate about the unique
experience we have to offer, which can
accommodate up to 200 guests, and also
includes a heavy dose of rustic charm.”

The site is an ideal setting for any type
of celebration. There’s an open-air pavilion
with a spacious hand-laid-plank floor. The
bridal suite features a make-up station,
full-length mirror and lots of elbow room.

Denise says Ohop Ridge Christmas Tree
Farm is focused on weddings, but will
gladly host corporate retreats, birthday
parties or other significant events.

“We are big on being a part of this
community, and our entire family is here
to serve you,” she says.

Ohop Ridge Christmas Tree Farm is at 40707
Ski Park Road East, Eatonville, WA 98328. For
more information, call 253-691-5054 or visit
www.ohopridge.com.