For most, the warm feelings of joy and nostalgia that are inspired by the Christmas holiday are short-lived. But for David and Dawn Gray, the magic lasts all year. 

The Grays operate Wildwood Christmas Tree Farm, a small, family-owned operation in the rolling hills of Woodbury. The couple’s vision for the farm began in 2005 as a way to incorporate their land into their retirement plan.

David had always been a woodworker, but lumber was hard to come by in his native New Mexico home trees are scarce due to the dry and arid landscape. In 1987, he and his father, Orval, purchased a farm together that had previously been leased as part of Lipscomb University’s agricultural program for cattle, but David says he was more naturally inclined to work with trees rather than livestock.

“We knew we needed a quicker turnover rate than with hardwoods, and Christmas trees presented themselves as the perfect crop for us,” says David. “Dawn is a big Christmas enthusiast and was quick to jump on board. With the guidance of our friends, Joe and Judy Clayton — who were the original owners of Country Cove Christmas Tree Farm in Murfreesboro — we were able to plant our first seedlings in 2007.” 

From those first seedlings, the Grays’ operation has since turned into 9,500 trees with varieties including White Pine, Norway Spruce, Colorado Blue Spruce, Turkish Fir, Canadian Hemlock, Canaan Fir, Nordmann Fir, and Momi Fir. Wildwood also offers “Ball & Burlap” live trees which can be used in a family’s home through the holidays and then re-planted in their yard to be enjoyed for many years to come. Whether visitors want a 6-foot tree or a 12-foot tree, a thin or wide one, or to cut it themselves with a handsaw or load up a pre-cut specimen, Wildwood is able to accommodate.

Visiting Wildwood Christmas Tree Farm has become a Christmas tradition for many families — a friendly environment where children and adults alike can experience the “thrill of the hunt” as they find the perfect tree to display in their home. 

“Our goal from the very beginning was to develop an experience for families out here on the farm, where they could create lasting memories that they would cherish for years to come,” says Dawn. “We love talking to the families and getting to know them a little more each year.”

David says the relationships he and Dawn build through their farm “fuels the passion” for what they do. 

“My favorite part of the farm is the people,” says David. “We’ve made some of the best friends with people who come year after year. We’ve learned their life story and watched their kids grow up. One young man started coming here with his family when he was still in high school, and now he’s grown up and married — but he doesn’t miss a Christmas out here!” 

It’s easy to turn Christmas tree shopping into an all-day event when visiting Wildwood. The farm hosts numerous activities for families to enjoy, including a treehouse play area, craft station for painting ornaments, hayrides, free hot cocoa, and a gift shop. 

Running such a bustling business is a team effort, and during the holiday season, it’s all-hands-on deck. Dawn and David’s sons — Caleb, 14, and Judah, 10 — work with dad outside, tying trees, shaking them off, and loading them into customers’ vehicles. Daughter Hannah, 19, works in the store with Dawn, running the cash registers and helping customers. David’s mother, Esther, handles the craft area, and his father, Orval, drives the tractor for the hayrides. 

The Woodbury branch store of Rutherford Farmers Co-op is an important part of the team, as well. The Co-op provides farm necessities for the Grays, including baler twine for the trees and gas for the lawnmowers.

Dawn stresses that above all, the farm provides valuable life lessons for the kids.

“We’re building great character in our children through hard work, as well as giving them people skills and customer service experience,” she says. “We love to see everyone out here having fun, laughing, and cutting up with each other.”

She adds that the family is blessed to work in an industry so closely associated with such a special time of the year. 

“Christmas is by far my favorite holiday,” says Dawn. “It holds so much meaning for our family, and this farm has turned out to be far more rewarding than we ever thought possible.”