Christmas trees were first harvested at Sinnissippi Forest in 1948, but the history of the Sinnissippi Christmas tree operation really begins more than a century ago, when former Governor Frank O. Lowden and his wife purchased more than 600 acres along the Rock River, which they named "Sinnissippi" - the Indian word for "rocky water", or Rock River.
The first land purchased by the Lowdens included several sandy hillsides that were unsuitable for conventional farming. Raised on a farm in Minnesota, Lowden understood the importance of using farmland productively but responsibly. Realizing that the white pine tree was one of the few native species suited to the sandy soil, Lowden began growing pine seedlings and transplanting them to sandy areas of Sinnissippi. Encouraged by the results, Lowden expanded his tree planting efforts, the first large-scale reforestation in the state. Many of these trees remain today in one of the most beautiful parts of Lowden-Miller State Forest.
Mr. Lowden died in 1943, but his family carried on the conservation-oriented forestry work. In 1948, tree plantations that were started in the early 1940s needed to be thinned. Rather than discard the trees being removed, the Lowdens' daughter and son-in-law, Dr. and Mrs. C. Phillip Miller, who had assumed responsibility for management of the forest, decided to cut and sell them as Christmas trees. Thus began a 50+ year tradition of Christmas tree production that continues today. In 1955, Sinnissippi was designated the first Tree Farm in the state, in recognition of its prominence in the history of Illinois forestry.
Into the early 1990's, more than 2,300 acres of hardwood and conifer forests and Christmas trees were being managed as Sinnissippi Forest. In 1992 and 1993, Warren and Phillip Miller, Governor Lowden's grandsons, sold most of the forestland to the State of Illinois, to create the 2,200-acre Lowden-Miller State Forest, named in honor of their grandparents and parents.
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Over the years the Sinnissippi Forest Christmas tree operation has evolved from selling plantation thinnings to an intensively managed specialty farming venture. Nearly 200 acres are dedicated to the production of Scotch and White Pine, Blue Spruce and
several varieties of Fir.
In the early years trees were sold as pre-cut trees only, both wholesale and retail. In 1984, Sinnissippi opened its first choose-and-cut field; this method of harvest has grown in popularity to the point where it now accounts for
more than half of all tree sales. The original red and white holiday building was built in 1986, but it has since been enlarged to provide space for wreath, roping and tree stand displays as well as a gift shop, snack bar, large fireplace and, of course, a suitably grand chair for Santa to greet children during his visits.
Though still owned by Warren Miller, Sinnissippi is managed by David Stenger,
former president of the National Christmas Tree Association.
Want to learn more about Christmas trees? Visit the National Christmas Tree Association website at www.realchristmastrees.org/treecare.html.
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