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Cut your own Christmas tree at Richardson Adventure Farm

SPRING GROVE, ILL. - McHenry County produces more Christmas trees than any other part of Illinois, and Richardson Adventure Farm, with more than 50,000 trees on 75 acres, is one of the county's largest growers. If the Richardson name sounds familiar, that's because the farm is home to a huge corn maze every fall.

The Richardson Family began planting Christmas trees in 1982 on their farm just 60 minutes northwest of Chicago, and folks have been flocking there to "choose and cut" the perfect tree for more than 30 years.

"Some folks have been coming here since the very first year," said George Richardson, who runs the operation with his brother, Robert, their wives and George's son Ryan, who is the sixth generation on the farm. "It's a real multigenerational tradition, and we enjoy seeing the same families every year. People who came here as kids bring their own children now." Other members of the Richardson clan pitch in to help on especially busy days.

The Richardsons plant 10,000 new trees each spring, then spend the summer watering, mowing weeds and shearing the trees. During the holiday season, they harvest about 4,000 mature trees.

Richardson Christmas trees offers more than just an ordinary tree-buying experience. It's way better than buying a stale tree from an urban parking lot. Here's everything you need to know to plan a memorable tree-hunting expedition:

* Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily from Nov. 28 through Dec. 23.

* Tree varieties include Fraser fir, Canaan fir, concolor fir, Douglas fir, blue spruce, white pine and Scotch pine.

* Most trees are in the $53 to $59 price range; a few trees are as low as $29.

* Pre-cut, pre-priced trees up to 12 feet high are available.

* There are hundreds of freshly-made wreaths, garlands and centerpieces, plus trimmings and ribbon bows. Custom wreaths are available.

* If you want to cut your own tree, hand saws are provided, and on weekends you can take a free tractor-drawn wagon ride out into the trees.

* After you cut your tree and haul it to the big heated sales barn, they will shake and bale it and secure it to your car.

* In the barn you can enjoy free coffee and cocoa daily, and on weekends there's a concession stand selling fresh doughnuts and kettle corn.

* Payment is by cash, check or credit card.

* Indoor restrooms!

* Family dogs on leashes are welcome!

Richardson Christmas trees, LLC, is located at 9407 Richardson Road near Spring Grove. Go to www.RichardsonAdventureFarm.com for maps, directions, photos and videos.

For more information, call (815) 675-9729 or email info@RichardsonAdventureFarm.com.

Each December, the Richardson family also participates in the "Trees for Troops" program sponsored by FedEx and the Christmas Spirit Foundation, which annually delivers about 17,000 free fresh trees to military families at 60 domestic and foreign military bases. The Richardsons will donate a truckload of trees to families at Great Lakes Naval Station and personally help distribute them. For more information, go to www.TreesForTroops.org.

The Richardsons have been farming in McHenry County since 1840. They grow corn and soybeans, and also operate Richardson Adventure Farm, home of the "World's Largest & Most Intricate Corn Maze," from September and October. They are members of the Illinois Christmas Tree Growers and the National Christmas Tree Association.

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