BonnerSprings.com

Tucked away in Bonner Springs are four acres of various sized Christmas trees waiting for families to claim them.

Jim and Heather Kirk have been growing and selling Scotch and Austrian pine trees for sixteen years on their property, located on 134th Street, a half mile south of Kansas Avenue.

"We have the best large Christmas trees around," Jim said.

Sisters Mimi Manning, 9, and Molly Manning, 10, ride with brothers Ethan Hook, 6, and Thomas Hook, 7, in the wagon Jim Kirk uses to transport trees around his Christmas tree farm on 134th Street, a half mile south of Kansas Avenue.

Large and tall, Kirk's Tree Farm has several trees averaging 16 feet in height.

"We sell quite a few of them to families every year," Jim said.

There also are smaller trees to choose from, but regardless of the size, Kirk's prides itself on growing all natural trees, not using any green dyes.

It's a family-owned and operated business, so each tree has been carefully pruned, watered, and sprayed for insects and funguses.

"We are known for the best kept trees in the area," Jim said.

However, he does admit it takes a lot of work to maintain the farm, which is a side business to the couple's full-time jobs.

"We've enjoyed it and it's great to work with people in a time of year where they're happy and it's kind of a family event," Jim said.

The farm also makes it a fun event for children, allowing them to ride on the wagon that hauls the Christmas trees.

Customers can choose a tree, and if they don't want to take it home that day, they can make a $10 deposit and pay the remaining balance when they pick up the tree.

Kirk's will cut the tree, haul it to the customer's vehicle and throw in a free tree bag with each purchase.

The average cost of a tree is $5.50 a foot. The Scotch pines have shorter compact needles and the Austrians have longer, less clustered needles.

Jim said a fresh cut tree survives five weeks before losing any needles, with the proper watering.

"It will last longer than buying a cut tree from a lot and we don't use any Greens-It dye on trees like some lots do," he said.

Customers are welcome to free greenery, which Kirk's also gives away to nursing homes for decoration each year.

The tree farm is open in the afternoons during the week and from 9 a.m. to dark on weekends.

If a customer pulls into the drive and sees no one on the grounds, just ring the large bell next to the Kirks' house for service.

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