Fields of Christmas trees in Whitefish named after reindeer
Dec. 7 is National Christmas Tree Day and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture is encouraging people to support local farmers who grow Christmas trees.
CTV News stopped by a tree farm in Whitefish to learn more about the growing process and the work behind it.
Bernie and Craig Thompson are a retired couple who started the Christmas tree farm CR Trees in 2016. (Alana Everson/CTV News)
Retired couple Bernie and Craig Thompson started CR trees in 2016 on Grassy Lake Road in Whitefish.
This is their second year being open for families to get a live Christmas tree. All of their fields are named after reindeer and this year, harvesting is being done in Dasher.
"I think what I love about it now is that we opened last year and that is a culmination of the last eight years is seeing the children running through the field, running through Dasher finding the perfect tree for them," said owner Bernie Thompson.
The tree farmers said they use green growing practices like composting and help the trees thrive through careful water management.
"All my cuttings off the field and everything else goes back in the ground," said Craig Thompson.
"I mulch everything, you know, we don’t use herbicides, pesticides or anything else -- we just water the trees (and) take care of them the way Mother Nature intended."
The Thompsons said every seedling is grown with love, which are four years old when they are planted on the farm.
- Download the CTV News app now
- Get local breaking news alerts
- Daily newsletter with the top local stories emailed to your inbox
"You have already dug your hole and you gently put the seedling in and you make sure the roots are completely covered with soil," Bernie said.
"And then you start the watering process and the caring."
The Thompsons encourage people to compost their Christmas trees when the holidays are over to complete the circle of life.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE UPDATES
LIVE UPDATES Uncontained L.A. wildfires are still burning. Here's the latest as firefighters battle the flames
A series of wildfires are tearing through densely populated parts of the Los Angeles, Calif. area. Five people have been reported dead. About 130,000 have been asked to evacuate. Nearly 2,000 homes and other buildings have been destroyed after the fires charred about 108 square kilometres.
'True when I said it, true today': former Canadian PM Harper pushes back against Trump on social media
Former prime minister Stephen Harper doesn’t find U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s jibes about Canada becoming the 51st U.S. state very amusing.
NEW
NEW Tipping guide to Canada: When, where and how much to tip for restaurants, taxis and more
CTVNews.ca has created an entirely unofficial guide to tipping in Canada to help visitors, newcomers and curious Canadians navigate the shifting social norms of when, where and how much to tip.
Can the U.S. really make Canada the 51st state?
Talk of Canada becoming the 51st American state has raised an existential question on this side of the border: Could it be done? Could the maple leaf make way to the stars and stripes? According to several experts, it may be possible, but not painless.
Cape Breton police ask for public's help in finding Justin MacDonald's remains
Police in Cape Breton are asking for the public’s help in finding the remains of a missing man they believe was murdered.
'This isn't just my mom's story,' says daughter of woman allegedly killed by partner
Abigail Robson says she moved from Nova Scotia to Alberta as a young girl with her mother 10 years ago for a fresh start.
Manitoba police chief believed dead following house fire
The remains of Manitoba First Nation Police Service’s (MFNPS) leader are believed to have been found following a fire at his home.
U.S. says it has no plans to increase military presence in Greenland
The United States has no current plans to increase its military presence in Greenland, the U.S. embassy in Copenhagen said on Thursday, after President-elect Donald Trump expressed renewed interest in acquiring the vast Arctic island.
Prince William praises his wife Kate as he wishes her a happy birthday
Prince William praised the strength of the Princess of Wales after a turbulent year, offering a 43rd birthday wish on social media on Thursday that described her as an incredible wife and mother.
Barrie
-
Increased police presence in Georgian Bluffs
Police are asking people to avoid the downtown area of Sussex Square.
-
Over $65,000 in stolen goods seized during Alliston raid: OPP
Ontario Provincial Police executed a search warrant at a Boyne Street property in New Tecumseth, uncovering over $65,000 worth of allegedly stolen items, including a Kubota diesel side-by-side and various tools, dirt bikes, and equipment.
-
Colts reschedule cancelled game with Kingston Frontenacs
The Ontario Hockey League has rescheduled a gamed cancelled due to snow squalls in Barrie last Saturday.
Toronto
-
Premier Doug Ford says Ontario ready to support California during 'devastating' fires
As deadly wildfires continue to tear through the Los Angeles area Thursday morning, Ontario Premier Doug Ford says the province is standing by to offer its support, calling the situation 'devastating.'
-
Will Toronto become Canada's most expensive housing market in 2025?
This year could be the year Toronto takes the crown for the most expensive real estate market in the country.
-
Pedestrian dies after being struck by vehicle in North York
A pedestrian is dead after they were struck by a vehicle in North York Thursday morning.
Ottawa
-
Elgin Street restaurant closes after 18 years in Ottawa's Centretown neighbourhood
St. Louis Bar and Grill has closed its doors on Elgin Street in Ottawa's Centretown neighbourhood, after serving customers for 18 years.
-
Here's a first look at the proposed Tewin development in Ottawa's southeast end
Ottawa residents are getting their first glimpse at plans for the Tewin development, the proposed development in the city's southeast end with homes for approximately 35,000 people.
-
Customers line up to dine at Ottawa's newest Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A's second Ottawa location opened in the food court on the second floor of the mall at 50 Rideau Street at 10 a.m. on Thursday.
Kitchener
-
'True when I said it, true today': former Canadian PM Harper pushes back against Trump on social media
Former prime minister Stephen Harper doesn’t find U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s jibes about Canada becoming the 51st U.S. state very amusing.
-
City council to discuss next steps to finalize redevelopment of former Stratford factory
After sitting empty for 50 years, the City of Stratford is moving closer to redeveloping the former location of the Grand Trunk Railways shop.
-
Overdose deaths in Ontario increasingly involve more than one drug, new report says
An increasing number of overdose deaths in Ontario involves the use of more than one drug, with the combination of opioids and stimulants proving to be especially dangerous, a new report says.
London
-
Bitter cold temperatures, chance of light flurries
Thursday morning is seeing bitter cold temperatures and a chance for light flurries throughout the day for the London region, according to CTV London Meteorologist Julie Atchison.
-
Career change: Dorchester, Ont. chiropractor signs professional soccer contract
Chiropractor Julia Benati is taking a leave from her clinic to pursue a professional contract after signing with the Ottawa Rapid FC franchise in the new Northern Super League (NSL).
-
Kitchen fire leads to $200,000 in damages
A kitchen fire on Thursday morning had fire crews in action in the 200 block of Conway Drive.
Windsor
-
OPP Commissioner explains 'significant role' in new border measures
The Commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police believes they can play a significant role in border security but said more resources will be needed for long-term sustainability.
-
Windsor Spitfires in top five of CHL rankings
The Windsor Spitfires are back as one of the top five ranked junior hockey teams in Canada for the first time since November.
-
Would updated MPAC assessments lead to skyrocketing property tax hikes?
Some residents may assume that a sharp rise in property values would lead to an equivalent increase in property taxes, but that's not the case. Here’s how it works.
Montreal
-
Two Quebec planes and their crews helping fight devastating L.A. wildfires
A pair of Quebec water bombers and their crews are in California helping fight the massive wildfires tearing through the Los Angeles area
-
30-year-old man electrocuted and killed on the job in Quebec City area
A 30-year-old man died on Wednesday evening in the workplace in Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, in the Greater Quebec City area.
-
Man dies after conflict degenerates in Longueuil
A man in his 50s is dead after a conflict degenerated into an assault in Longueuil on Montreal's South Shore.
Winnipeg
-
Winnipeg hospital death to be investigated as critical incident
The recent death of a man waiting for care in a Winnipeg hospital’s emergency department is being investigated as a critical incident.
-
Protesters block heavy equipment from entering Lemay Forest; trees still being cut down
It's full-blown Lemayhem in St. Norbert. On Wednesday morning, protesters blocked the road to Lemay Forest in an effort to stop more tree cutting in the area.
-
Manitoba police chief believed dead following house fire
The remains of Manitoba First Nation Police Service’s (MFNPS) leader are believed to have been found following a fire at his home.
Atlantic
-
Suspicious deaths in Mahone Bay result of intimate partner violence: N.S. RCMP
The RCMP in Nova Scotia says two suspicious deaths in Mahone Bay, N.S., over the weekend were the result of intimate partner violence.
-
Cape Breton police ask for public's help in finding Justin MacDonald's remains
Police in Cape Breton are asking for the public’s help in finding the remains of a missing man they believe was murdered.
-
Police arrest wanted man suspected in two N.S. homicides
Police have arrested a New Brunswick man wanted for the deaths of two people in Nova Scotia last month.
N.L.
-
Adviser says Quebec-N.L. energy deal is 'very good,' as Opposition vows not to vote
Newfoundland and Labrador's Opposition Progressive Conservatives vowed Wednesday that they will not vote on a draft energy deal with Quebec's hydro utility until it is scrutinized by independent experts.
-
Newfoundland and Labrador energy deal with Quebec under scrutiny as debate opens
Newfoundland and Labrador politicians are digging into the details of the province's draft energy deal with Quebec as four days of debate begin today in St. John's, N.L.
-
Part of street washed away and state of emergency declared in N.L. town after storm
Damaging winds and pounding surf that washed away part of a street in a small northeastern town in Newfoundland on Sunday triggered a state of emergency in the coastal community.
Calgary
-
Sentencing hearing begins for men convicted of leading Coutts blockade
A sentencing hearing is set to start today for three men convicted of helping co-ordinate a blockade at the Canada-U.S. border at Coutts, Alta., in protest of COVID-19 rules and restrictions.
-
'True when I said it, true today': former Canadian PM Harper pushes back against Trump on social media
Former prime minister Stephen Harper doesn’t find U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s jibes about Canada becoming the 51st U.S. state very amusing.
-
New pickleball court opens in Calgary's East Village
Residents in Calgary's East Village now have a new space to pick up one of the fastest growing sports in the country.
Edmonton
-
Software used by Edmonton Catholic, St. Albert public school divisions target of cyber attack
Edmonton Catholic School Division (ECSD) and St. Albert Public Schools are among the school boards in multiple provinces that have been affected by a data breach of their student information system vendor.
-
'This isn't just my mom's story,' says daughter of woman allegedly killed by partner
Abigail Robson says she moved from Nova Scotia to Alberta as a young girl with her mother 10 years ago for a fresh start.
-
Political uncertainty could derail major carbon capture project: experts
The fate of Canada's largest proposed carbon capture and storage project is even more uncertain after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's resignation announcement this week amplified existing unknowns around the future of energy and climate policy in Canada, experts say.
Regina
-
Saskatchewan newspaper predating province's formation ceases publication
Older than the province of Saskatchewan itself, the Estevan Mercury has now ceased publication after more than a century of operation.
-
Saskatchewan RCMP head reflects on the complex challenges, successes of 2024
From the scourge of the addictions crisis to managing recruitment and enforcement in rural areas, the Saskatchewan RCMP had a busy 2024.
-
NEW
NEW Tipping guide to Canada: When, where and how much to tip for restaurants, taxis and more
CTVNews.ca has created an entirely unofficial guide to tipping in Canada to help visitors, newcomers and curious Canadians navigate the shifting social norms of when, where and how much to tip.
Saskatoon
-
'You're killing them inside': Sask. hockey referee blows the whistle on verbal abuse of young officials
A Saskatchewan hockey referee is gaining widespread attention after posting a video on social media telling coaches and parents to “do better.”
-
Saskatoon residents oppose cell tower precedent
SaskTel is proposing a new cell tower placed on the corner of a Saskatoon park to improve coverage and network capacity, but nearby residents say it’s too close to their homes, and against City of Saskatoon policy.
-
Saskatchewan newspaper predating province's formation ceases publication
Older than the province of Saskatchewan itself, the Estevan Mercury has now ceased publication after more than a century of operation.
Vancouver
-
Cyclist hit by driver who stole police cruiser says he’s frustrated with lack of accountability
A Vancouver cyclist who was struck by a driver in a stolen police SUV says months after the incident, he feels there’s a lack of accountability from those involved.
-
Booze-free 'liquor' stores offer options, as some B.C. craft brewers decline and fall
Whatever your tipple, Angela Hansen's liquor store on Vancouver's Commercial Drive has stock to satisfy, from Prosecco to tequila — so long as you don't want any actual liquor.
-
B.C. court approves class-action lawsuit about privacy over Home Depot receipts
A British Columbia Supreme Court judge says a class-action lawsuit can go ahead alleging Home Depot violated its customers' privacy when collecting and sharing their information after emailing purchase receipts.
Vancouver Island
-
Booze-free 'liquor' stores offer options, as some B.C. craft brewers decline and fall
Whatever your tipple, Angela Hansen's liquor store on Vancouver's Commercial Drive has stock to satisfy, from Prosecco to tequila — so long as you don't want any actual liquor.
-
B.C. court approves class-action lawsuit about privacy over Home Depot receipts
A British Columbia Supreme Court judge says a class-action lawsuit can go ahead alleging Home Depot violated its customers' privacy when collecting and sharing their information after emailing purchase receipts.
-
Fewer paramedics on shift as BC Ambulance millions over budget
BC Emergency Health Services is cracking down on overtime in a cost-cutting measure, leaving more ambulances than usual unstaffed as front-line workers fear patients will face even longer delays.
