About

Silvertip Trees

	Silvertip Christmas Tree (Abies Magnifica) The traditional Silvertip is the most sought after Christmas tree. It provides a spectacular center piece for your Christmas celebration. Their naturally beautiful silver tips and mountain fragrance is an inviting experience. Our silvertips grow naturally on our tree farm at 8000 ft. elevation (near Yosemite National Park). Silvertips are a true high elevation fir and are commonly known as the Red Fir (Abies Magnifica.) We do not use cloned trees so every tree is unique. Silvertips are slower growing than most other species used as Christmas trees. The Silvertips slow growth makes them a rare Christmas tree and not commonly found like the Douglas Fir. There are a number of reasons why the Silvertip Christmas tree is more special than any other Christmas tree. Maybe it's because of family tradition, the silvery tips, the rarity of the tree or maybe it's the overall experience that these beautiful trees bring to your home. Silvertip Christmas trees have been a traditional favorite, with there long lasting value, and sturdy limbs to hold your precious ornaments.

The Tree Farm

Silvertip Tree Farm is nestled in the heart of the Sierra Nevada mountains, just south of Yosemite National Park. The tree farm is truly a mountain paradise consisting of an old growth forest, bountiful wildlife, gushing springs, green meadows and a majestic mountain with awe inspiring views. It is no wonder why our Silvertip Christmas trees are so beautiful and lasting.

Our tree farm is certified with the American Tree Farm system. To be certified we must follow "[t]he American Forest Foundation’s (AFF’s) 2010-2015 Standards of Sustainability for Forest Certification..." By following such standards we are promoting "...the vitality of renewable forest resources while protecting environmental, economic, and social benefits and work to increase public understanding of all benefits of sustainable forestry." (http://www.treefarmsystem.org/) We are also working toward organic certification. Our Christmas trees are organically grown, with no pesticides used.

Silvertip Tree Farm is intensely managed for sustainable growth. We’ve planted several thousand trees over the years and most are planted NOT to be cut. The Christmas trees are thinned from dense groups of trees. This allows other trees to grow and greatly reduces the risk of becoming diseased. Wreaths are crafted from the trimmings of lower limbs and from thinned trees.

This property has been in our family for over 100 years. My great grand father George Teaford owned a portion with his good friend T.G. Hart who acquired it for mining and logging in 1901. I got the wonderful opportunity to acquire interest in the mid 1990’s and began to manage the property! Now we are applying our 25 years experience in the reforestation and forestry business to manage our own tree farm.

Thank you,
Gena Hopkins and family

Reforestation

(Before and after pictures of a whitethorn brush removal project at Silvertip Tree Farm)

Reforestation and forest restoration are at the forefront of the managment of Silvertip Tree Farm. Owners Jim and Gena Hopkins established the High Country Reforestation Co. in 1985 and have been applying that experience at Silvertip Tree Farm. Maintaing healthy green forests is the goal when accomplishing managment projects.

The pictures above were taken during a recent and ongoing whitethorn brush removal project. The whitethorn has overgrown in some areas at Silvertip Tree Farm, where previous logging operations had taken place many years ago. Whitethorn is vital for wildlife and the production of nitrogen in the soil. However, the whitethorn brush can pose a fire hazard to the very wildlife and forest in which helps. Also, the dense whitethorn brush makes it difficult for the red fir seedlings to grow. With proper managment, the whitethorn will remain an important aspect of the ecosystem while reforestation and forest restoration is taking place.

In addition to maintaining the Silvertip Tree Farm, High Country Reforestation Co. offers a complete line of forestry services that includes brush piling, site prep, erosion control, fuel breaks, noxious weed removal, logging clean up, as well as tree planting. If you would like to inquire about our reforestation services please use the contact page.