The Family Trees

It’s probably as close as a person comes to being Santa Claus. “It’s a great business to be in,� says Nancy Roatcap, business manager of the Windmill Christmas Tree Farm in Valencia.

“Everybody is always happy.� For 17 years, families from throughout Southern California have come to this tree farm,r olled up their sleeves and cfhopped down a Monterey pine to shelter their gifts until Christmas morning.

The farm is located about a quarter- mile east of the Golden State Freeway on Magic Mountain Parkway. Roatcap, her father, Ralph, and brother-in-law Jay P. Hughes also operate farms at 25500 Rye Canyon Road- also near Magic Mountain- and Frazier Park.

Christmas- tree farming has been a family tradition just as much as Christmas itself, Roatcap says.

Her family has made a living mostly in that business since her father began raising the trees at a small farm in Santa Paula in 1968. “Now we have grandparents and their kids- and their kids- coming to buy the trees,� Roatcap says. Between the three farms, this year’s lumberjacks-for-the- day can choose from about 25,000 4-year-old pines.

The Monterey pine is a thickly needled species native to the Monterey Peninsula and requires up to 60 inches of rain per year. Regardless of their height- 6 to 13 feet- the trees cost $29.56, plus tax.

The farm typically draws most of its customers from the Santa Clarita and Antelope valleys and neighboring cities, she said. But families from as far away as San Diego and Bakersfield are not rare.

Whether you’re looking for a 45-minute or three- hour family adventure, it starts with picking up a saw at the farm’s office any day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. until noon on Christmas Eve.

“It’s really is a family activity,� Roatcap says.