Cool Forest

Cool Forest opened in 1956 run by owners Bruce and Dorothy Wadsworth. It has grown over the years to one of the largest Choose an cut Christmas tree farm on the Georgetown Divide. The main house on the 52 acres was built in the 1800's and was used as a stage coach stop and inn for travelers. The road in front of the house and where you entered was the original Highway 193 and connected with Traverse Creek Road. The meadow area was known as American Flat during the gold rush days.

There have been setbacks in the tree growing endeavor. One of the biggest setbacks was in 1961 when all the trees were destroyed in the 10,000 acre Kelsey fire. Only the house and meadow were spared. Some of the older taller trees are those that were planted after the fire.

When it comes to picking the special tree to decorate for your home everyone has a different idea of the perfect tree. To that end we try to provide a selection of tree types that grow at our elevation and climate. We also provide freshly cut silver tip from higher elevations. These trees are cut by Cool Forest experts specifically for our customers. If the snow is too deep for us to get to the trees there will be no trees available as we will only provide fresh trees. Also available for the last two years are noble fir. These are shipped from Oregon and have received a good response from our customers.

We have approximately 14,000 Douglas Fir scattered throughout the farm. Some have been sheared by our crew to achieve a full shape. Others are left to grow naturally for those who like the natural look.

White fir is our next most plentiful tree. Noted for its stately elegance the limbs of the white fir are horizontal to the ground and evenly spaced around the tree with needles pointing heavenward. Although not native to the area they will grow here from seedlings started at higher elevations. You can find these trees in cooler areas of the farm. It takes 14 years for them to grow to 6 feet tall.

Incense cedar trees are native to th area and grow like weeds. No cedars have been planted on the farm but you will see them in plentiful supply. They are known for the fragrance.

Other species found on the farm are sequoia (redwood), Ponderosa pine, Colter Pine, Sugar Pine, Cypress and one lone Montery Pine.

All of our trees are in various stages of growth. We have trees that were planted after the 1961 fire towering over 3,000 baby trees planted in February of this year. There are plenty of trees ready for your special Christmas tree that are just the right shape and size to be the focal point of your Christmas decorations.

Please feel free to roam the farm. Breathe deeply. One acre of young trees produces enough oxygen for 18 people. They also remove carbon dioxide from the air. So take a deep breath and enjoy the clean air.