After beginning its fourth generation of growing and selling, Christmas Pines Nursery became incorporated and is now known as Geissler Tree Farms, Inc.
The family business was created when Ruth and Russell Geissler bought 120 acres in SchuylkillCounty in 1954. Ruth and Russell formed the foundation of the company on hard work and dedication. They began growing Christmas trees on the property that was also shared by their campground. Ruth always knew she wanted to grow Christmas trees from a time during the Great Depression when her father, Earl Ruppert, bought trees from the Reading Railroad for 25 cents. He carried the 14 blocks to his home on N. Front St. where he sold them to the neighbors so he could give his family a little extra at Christmas. Ruth and Russell raised five children in Reading where they retailed trees from their farm in SchuylkillCounty. All members of the family worked the farm over the next 20 years.
The middle son, Rickey, a Reading High School and Penn State graduate, bought 19 acres in 1976 at the nursery’s current location in Leesport. He continued to grow and develop the family’s nursery by specializing in evergreens. Rick has expanded his nursery to shade trees, grafted material, and ornamentals. Over the next 30 years, the nursery has grown to four farms and approximately 300 acres of nursery stock.
The farms are located in Leesport, Penn Township, Auburn and Strausstown. The nursery sells Christmas trees in two locations: their home location in Leesport and on Statehill Road in Sinking Spring. Shade trees and ornamental trees are sold retail as well as wholesale to local landscape contractors and shipped throughout the east and Midwest as well as Canada.
Rick not only carries expertise in trees, but also in erosion control. In 2002, Rick grew and developed into the erosion control industry. As founder and president of East Coast Erosion Blankets, in Strausstown, this corporation has quickly become a strong competitor in this industry. East Coast manufactures 14 different products to distributors all over the East Coast. To meet the demands of their growing customer base, a second plant is in the process of being started in South Carolina.
The middle of Rick’s three daughters, Kelly, 24, Schuylkill Valley graduate, joined the now fourth generation business in spring of 2004. She is a graduate of Delaware Valley College, Doylestown, with a degree in Floriculture, a minor in business and has a degree from Hixon’s School of Floral Design, OH. Kelly manages the wholesale nursery as well as the office throughout the year. She has also created her own business which currently focuses on weddings, Christmas wreaths and decorations, and special events. She hopes to expand to a re-wholesale garden center in the future.
Geissler Tree Farms, Inc., also has a commercial landscape division, specializing in hydroseeding, large plantings, and erosion control all over Berks County. Our two foremen, Eric Rice and John Rice have literally grown up the nursery since the time they were 10 years old. They have developed into mature and dedicated leaders and their hard work has helped grow and develop the business to what it is today.
Jeffery Piccioni, our newest member can be found in the nursery and also on the jobsites. Jeff is ICPI Certified to install patio and walkways. Jeff is also in charge of cut-your-own weekends during our Christmas season. He ensures our customers have a memorable experience cutting a fresh tree!
Geissler Tree Farms, Inc., works hard to grow top quality nursery stock at competitive prices to meet and exceed our customer’s expectations.