You are invited to hike on private land near the Northwestern corner of Springwater on the 245 acre All Western Evergreen Nursery & Christmas Tree Farm owned by Katherine Humphrey and daughter, Jerrianne Scheiderich.  The entrance to the farm is at 6840 Liberty Pole Road (County Road 38, 1 mile from State Route 15 between Springwater and Webster’s Crossing).  It is well marked and is on the South side of the road.  There is ample parking behind the house where the wholesale trees are loaded out. The hike this Sunday, February 9^th will begin shortly before 2 PM.  Arrive early for instructions regarding routes for the three skill levels: Climbers, Tourists, and Naturalists.  Katherine will have maps of the plantations for the volunteer leaders to aid in hike path directions, which can be modified by the leader as desired.

On the hike, expect winter conditions.  If there is enough snow, skis and snow shoes can be used.  Wear winter hiking apparel and bring water, walking sticks, and snacks, as desired.  Beware of stones, woodchuck holes, boughs laying on the ground, and stumps.  Leashed or unleashed dogs that mind their masters are welcome too!  We will crisscross the farm from behind the residence to Story Road, Swartz Road, and/or Liberty Pole Road.  The nursery beds and several exotic trees are near the residence and on the way up through the woods.  There is a leisurely incline of from 1200 to about 2000 feet.  The tree farm was started in 1968, making 2020 the 52^nd year of planting trees.  Participants may like to notice the many different species of Christmas trees planted and compete in an ID quiz in the shop at the end of the hike.

Crossing the farm from one end to the other will encompass as many miles as the number of times anyone wants to crisscross, as it is at least 1 mile from road to road.  The roads that surround the farm are Liberty Pole Road, Story Road, Swartz Road, and Carney Hollow Road.  You will find hardwoods, a red pine forest (cathedral pines planted over 75 years ago), Christmas tree plantations (some with solar powered electrified fences that are turned off for the hike) with field roads traversing the land, and rented open tillable fields last planted to winter wheat or mowed as they are in the USDA Conservation Reserve Program due to the steep lay of land and need to keep 2 feet of top soil from eroding.

The after hike social will be at the farm residence where a dish-to-pass social will be anchored by delicious home-farm prepared soups.  If you wish, bring food/beverage as refrigeration and ranges are available for keeping items cold or hot.  For those who would like to know more about Christmas tree farming, Katherine is willing to share tree culturing and marketing techniques used at this farm.

Directions:  If using GPS, use address of 6840 Liberty Pole Road, Dansville, NY  14437 so you do not end up in the middle of one of the fields and call 585-669-2659 or 585-737-5205 for directions if you get lost.

From Springwater at the blinking light and intersection of 15A and 15, take 15 North to County Road 38 (Liberty Pole Road), the second left (West).  Stay on Liberty Pole Road for almost a mile.  The farm will be the third residence on the high side of Liberty Pole Road after you cross Carney Hollow Road intersection.  Please follow the orange cones in the driveway to the parking area behind the residence facing the Liberty Pole Road so as to easily pull out after dark, unless a handicapped spot is needed near the people door to the shop that says “Welcome, Come In”, which is the preferred door to enter the residence.

Check here for additional directions to the hike.