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Beck Christmas Tree Farm growing strong after 50 years December 8, 2016, 6:52 pmWhen Beck was a child living in Alpine, he saw a neighbor in town plant a few trees. This piqued his interest in having his own tree farm. At age 35, there was a piece of property available to him in Alpine. He decided to go for his childhood dream of owning a tree farm, and that is how Beck Christmas Tree Farm got started. Every year, Beck's family gathers in April and helps plant about 1,000 trees at the farm, which is located at 798 W. 800 South in Alpine. According to one of his grandsons, Eric Fotheringham, Beck started growing trees on the farm in the 1950s. According to Fotheringham, it takes about 12 to 15 years to grow a tree. So in the mid 1960s, Beck finally started selling trees at the tree farm. Ever since then, hundreds of community members go to the Christmas tree farm to cut down their own trees to put in their homes for the holiday season. "My grandpa loves it! He loves that it is a family event. He loves seeing his kids, grandkids, great-grandkids work together at the tree farm. It is his passion!" Fotheringham said. For the Beck family, it is not about making money during the holidays; it is about working and being together, especially when life takes everyone in so many different directions. Donald and Emily Beck have three children, and each of their children and their families are responsible for a major job at the farm. One family is in charge of irrigation, one family is in charge of mowing the grass between the rows, and one family is in charge of weeding. "Grandpa loves seeing everyone at the farm," Fotheringham said. During the past few years, visitors could come to the farm between Labor Day and Halloween and tag their Christmas tree so when the day after Thanksgiving came, they could come and cut their tree down. "This is the last year we are letting people tag their trees. Unfortunately, last year we had 30 tagged trees that were taken by other people. So we are stopping that tradition," Fotheringham said. "Starting next year in 2017, the tree farm will only be open the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving from 9 to 5 p.m. to cut your tree." At the tree farm, visitors will find trees ranging in size from 100 feet tall to those planted last year that are only 15 inches tall. The cost is $60 per tree, no matter the size. They sell about 700 trees per year. The Beck Christmas Tree Farm will be open on Nov. 25 and 26 from 9 to 5 p.m. The address is 900 South 630 West, Alpine, UT. Tree cutting will be on the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving. November 25th and 26th opening at 9:00 and closing at 5:00. These are the only two days we will be open to come and cut a tree that is not tagged and to come and cut your tree that is tagged. Thank you for your business, we love seeing you year after year. If you have any questions regarding setting up a photo shoot call Brandi at 801-400-2003. The community news source for Eagle Mountain Utah, Saratoga Springs Utah, Lehi Utah, American Fork Utah, Highland Utah, Alpine Utah, and The Cedar Valley, including Cedar Fort Utah and Fairfield Utah. Copyright 2025 The Crossroads Journal LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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