When Mike McCusker and Polly Anderson finished sawing down their Christmas tree, McCusker held the saw up to his nose. The heavy scent of fresh pine from the just-cut tree was just part of the appeal for the two from Shelburne Falls, who had been coming to the Cranston Christmas Tree Farm in Ashfield for decades.
“This is really the place to be,” he said.
The Farm was busy last weekend, something owners Thomas and Cynthia Cranston attributed to the good weather. They are the third generation of Cranstons to own the farm.
Cynthia Cranston said they get people from all over. Last weekend, they had people from nearly every town in a 30-mile radius, and she said there are always a few customers who come in from Boston every year.
The 160-acre farm supplies carts for the trees, and have signs and areas where children can take pictures in front of Frosty the Snowman, Santa’s sleigh with reindeer, or a Christmas train. A hike up a hill leads visitors to another field with more trees to pick from.
Maryellen Cranston said there’s more than 32,000 trees on the farm. She said she often worries if some families don’t show up by a certain time of the year. She told the story of a family that showed up a few weekends later than usual. She was so relieved to see them they all exchanged hugs.
“That, to me, is Christmas,” she said.
— Miranda Davis, mdavis@recorder.com.
