Shelby Christmas Tree Farmer Helps Families Pick Perfect Tree For 2 Decades

The family-owned Campo Christmas Tree retail center on 21 Mile and Schoenherr roads has become a semi-permanent holiday fixuture in Shelby Township.

Shelby Township resident and owner John Campo said four generations have sold Christmas trees out of the same open-air space, next to BB's Liquor and Wine Shop, for more than 20 years. 

Campo's father began growing Christmas trees in 1955 in Kalkaska, MI. The family now owns 135 acres of land up-north and grows at least six different breeds of Christmas trees.

The trees are planted in the spring, fertilized in the summer, cut in the fall, and sold in the winter for people who love the smell of a fresh Christmas tree,  decorated with lights and ornaments, in their home during the holiday season.

At Campo's, freshly cut Christmas trees range in size from 3-feet to 16-feet and in price from $25 to $125.

The most-prized Christmas tree, and the hardest to grow, is the Fraser Fir. Campo admits that's the tree he chooses for his living room every year because of it's high needle retention and long shelf-life.

However, the most popular tree at Campo's remains the Scotch Pine, because it's pleasing to the eye, holds up well and is the least expensive.

Campo Christmas Tree Farms is open 9 a.m. to 9 pm. seven days a week through the holiday season.