Charleston Living Magazine Nov-Dec 2021

Kids activities and a visit with
Mrs. Claus await families on the
weekends at Lebanon Christmas
Tree Farm.
A Timeless Tradition
M
Many Christmas movie characters have attempted the feat of cutting down
their own Christmas tree. Saws at the ready, roof racks on the station wagon, the goal to infuse
some holiday cheer into their family members. One beloved tree farm in the Charleston area continues
to offer the timeless tradition. Lebanon Christmas Tree Farm in Ridgeville—about 20 minutes from
Summerville—is a beloved working Christmas tree farm, with thousands of Christmas trees of all
shapes and sizes on over 30 acres, ripe for the cutting.
Enter through big iron gates to witness this
labor of love started by local veterinarian, the
late Kim Yerich in 1985, named for the Lebanon
community he cherished.
Among the thousands of trees are local
South Carolina Christmas trees, including
the Leyland Cypress, Carolina Sapphire,
There’s magic in the air at Lebanon Christmas Tree Farm
By JENNY PETERSON
Spruce Pine and Virginia Pine. The trees take
five years to mature, meaning that the tree you
pick this year was planted as a sapling in 2016.
It’s an entire experience to locate the
perfect Christmas tree, cut it down and get
the whole family into the spirit.
“This is something that takes families
away from using electronics,” said Julianna
Velarde, who is now running the farm with
her husband Cesar. “I started helping my dad
on the farm when I was a little girl and I’d sit
on the chair and cut the rope when the trees
were netted.”
For those who adore the quintessential
PHOTOS ALEECE SOPHIA PHOTOGRAPHY, LEBANON CHRISTMAS TREE FARM
90 | CharlestonLivingMag.com