The MNCTA summer Convention

A 60-Year Family Legacy in Christmas Trees – Roots Run Deep
Five generations of Dittberners have worked this land. Ralph Dittberner bought the 250-acre farm 60 years ago for hunting, then started planting 10,000 Christmas trees per year beginning in 1967. That’s nearly six decades and hundreds of thousands of trees in the ground.

The Christmas Tree Operation
They grow Balsam, Fraser, Balsam x Fraser, Korean, Siberian, Manchurian, and other exotic Firs, plus Scotch and White Pine. All trees have been irrigated via drip line since 2009. Since 2008, all evergreens are started from 2–3 gallon pots rather than bare root — getting trees to sellable size 3 years faster.

From Wholesale to Destination Farm
Selling wholesale until 2002, choose-and-cut retail launching in the early 1980s, horse-drawn sleigh rides added in 1991, and an internet sales operation from 2004–2012 — one of the first Christmas tree farms selling online. The on-farm experience has grown into a full holiday destination.

Wreaths, Garland & the Gift Shop
Wreath and garland making started in 1991. A 2,500 sq. ft. Christmas gift shop was built in 2007 and now accounts for 25–30% of Christmas sales. A dedicated Santa and Mrs. Claus room was added in 2015. All new gift shop items will be on display for the meeting.

Deer Management That Actually Works
The farm is fully fenced — they literally live in a gated community to protect their trees. This year they tested whole milk as a spray repellent in one field and saw 95% effectiveness. Come hear the full story on what works.

Equipment You Don’t See Every Day
A custom 3-row auger on a loader digs 500 holes per hour. Mowing is handled with a 4-foot mower behind the tractor, plus newly added 2-foot electric motor wings under the tractor to mow between rows — no belts to deal with.