How you can avoid crowds at our Christmas tree nursery

No doubt, 2020 has packed a wallop. With a virus that has upended daily life, altered
routines and changed the way we celebrate traditional events, it’s still comforting to know some things stay the same – like finding your perfect Christmas tree to bring home! If you have been wondering if we are open this year for the Christmas holiday, theshort answer is yes!

In order to follow Indiana guidelines set forth for managing COVID-19, we have been busy at the nursery, making necessary adjustments.

The Centers for Disease Control say that “the more people an individual interacts with at a gathering and the longer that interaction lasts, the higher the potential risk of becoming infected with COVID-19 and COVID-19 spreading.” Read Deciding to Go Out.

At Hensler Nursery, we have followed state and federal guidelines as we make plans to open for the season. First, there is a hold on all large gatherings indoors, so no food will be available in our Eats Barn. Second, using state guidelines there is also a hold on all outdoor gatherings that have the potential to amass large crowds or put people together in close proximity, like the after Thanksgiving Christmas Parade opener, firepit rentals and even children’s visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

To serve you faster, we have acquired three mobile pay devices with each device being handled by a masked employee out in the field where you select your tree as well as in the main lot. Long lines will hopefully be a thing of the past, and you will not need to go inside the Christmas Barn to pay. We have also secured a sanitizing device to be used in the buildings, and have set up sanitizing stations throughout the nursery for your use. We are committed to regularly sanitizing saws, tree carts and the trams throughout the day. We will close one hour earlier at 5 p.m. so our employees can do a deeper clean of all high traffic spaces.

There are also three ways you can pick out your perfect Christmas tree so choose the best option for you. 

1. First, select a pre-cut tree in our main yard. 
2. Walk the trail to the on-site Christmas tree field. There will be signs and a short, 6-minute walk to the field. You’ll find saws and pull carts in the field and you can pay with our new mobile pay device right there.  
3. Take one of six trams to our Christmas tree field across the street. You’ll find saws and pull carts in the field and you can pay with our new mobile pay device right there.

Seniors are invited and recommended to come early in the day during weekdays when it’s less congested. We open at 9 a.m and close at 5 p.m. Central time. This will be the best way to keep socially distant and we’ll have employees ready to help. 

Please wear a mask in all indoor spaces and when you can’t remain six feet apart in all outdoor spaces. If you have any cold symptoms, like cough, congestion, fever, runny nose, remain at home to avoid spreading a potential illness. 

We want your Christmas experience to be a wonderful family memory at Hensler Nursery.