The Christmas Tree Farms
The Patchen Christmas tree business manages two farms, a half-mile apart in the Santa Cruz Mountains, near Los Gatos. The “Old Town” farm is the location of the 19th-century town of the same name. The “Rancho” farm is a half mile away, on the summit of the mountains, near other historic settlements.
I started the business shortly after purchasing the “Old Town” property in 1969. It was originally a hobby and a way of earning extra cash to pay the property tax. As time went on, and my family became actively involved, it gradually evolved into a real business.
The two farms are similar in size and identical in terms of tree offerings and other amenities. This video describes how to find the two farms and what to expect to see at each.
Kelley’s new home on one of the Old Town properties results in losing one of the parking lots. Replacing it is a substantial undertaking.