Story by Stan Maddux Tribune Correspondent

Particularly helpful was a rainy August, the most critical time of year for trees to receive ample water heading into the dormant winter season, Joe Hensler of Hensler Nursery in Hamlet said.

“We had what you would call the perfect growing season,” said Joe, whose father, John, owns the property that contains 300 acres of trees.

Hensler Nursery last week provided a 9-foot tall Fraser fir to Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann and nearly a dozen similar sized trees for around the rotunda at the Indiana Statehouse.

“We’re proud to be able to do that for our officials down there,” Joe Hensler said.

Read the full article on the South Bend Tribune website.

By Jane Daley

Helping you select a beautiful Christmas tree at Hensler’s Nursery is an activity they love sharing with you every year. Hensler said, “Often we see people agonizing over a tree because they are looking for the perfect tree. A natural tree has a personality that will be a benefit to your ornaments and a new tree every year will always look different. Don’t get bogged down with the idea of a perfect tree.”

Read the full story on the Michigan City News-Despatch website.

Story by Carrie Steinweg

Real tree sales increased last year by more than 9 million from the 2012 season, according to the National Christmas Tree Association. With more than 33 million real trees sold in 2013, the amount spent decreased by $6 per tree from 2012.

For the Zumm family, of Highland, an outing to cut down the family Christmas tree has become an annual tradition.

“We have been going to Hensler Nursery in Hamlet, Ind., for five or six seasons,” Christie Zumm said. “They have a large parade for opening weekend with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. They take you out by horse-drawn carriage.”

Zumm said that she has watched the Starke County tree farm grow over the years.

“They are getting bigger, and we see more and more families cutting down trees,” she said.

Read the full story at The Times.

“What an exciting day for us to have visitors from both Hensler Farms and the Girl Scouts to prepare our office for the 2014 Holiday season,” noted Lt. Governor Ellspermann. “Our staff and the many visitors we welcome to our offices daily will be able to enjoy not only the sights and aroma of a fresh Indiana grown Fraser Fir, but the beautiful ornaments made by our own Central Indiana Girl Scouts as well.”

This year 15 trees were donated by ten Indiana Christmas Tree Farms and were placed throughout the State House including the Governor and Lt. Governor’s offices as well as other elected officials and the Capitol Rotunda. This marks the 55th year that the Indiana Christmas Tree Growers Association has brought live trees to the Indiana State House.

Read the full story on in.gov.

Story by Mitch Columbe

Photo credit: treesfortroops.org

“Hensler Nursery is donating farm-grown Christmas Trees to U.S. troops and military families through Trees for Troops once again this holiday season. Last year more than 17,000 trees were delivered to 65 military bases in the U.S. and overseas. Hensler Nursery is donating 30 White Pine and 10 Fraser Fir farm-grown trees. They will be delivered to the shipping point in Thorton, Indiana and disbursed to military bases and families nationally and internationally.”

Read the full article on WKVI’s website.

• John Hensler
• Phone: 574-867-4192
• Fax: 574-867-4960
• Email: info@henslernurseryindiana.com
• View PDF Version

Hamlet, Indiana, November 28, 2014 – Hensler Nursery has been selected to provide several trees to the Indiana Statehouse this year as part of the Christmas tree project with the Indiana Christmas Tree Association.

Hensler Nursery will be providing a 9-foot Fraser Fir for Lieutenant Governor Sue Ellspermann. The tree was grown at their Northern Indiana Starke County Christmas tree farm. The tree will be displayed in the office of Lieutenant Governor Ellspermann.

Hensler Nursery is also providing a 10-foot Fraser Fir for the Indiana Statehouse Rotunda, alongside other Indiana Christmas tree growers. This year, the Rotunda will be hosting smaller trees for their presentation rather than the traditional 25-foot tree. The formal presentation to Statehouse officials will begin at 8 a.m. EST.

For the last 27 years, Hensler Nursery has been providing trees to the Indiana Statehouse.

“Like every year, we make a careful tree selection by walking the fields at our main nursery where many of our customers will be cutting their own trees,” says John Hensler, owner of Hensler Nursery.

The annual project of the Indiana Christmas Tree Growers Association places freshly cut trees in the Capitol Rotunda, as well as select offices of Indiana’s to elected officials. This year, officials chose to break with tradition and feature dozens of smaller trees, rather than the traditional 25-foot tree.

“One of our first presentations was to the Governor’s Mansion while Otis Bowen was Indiana’s Governor,” says Hensler. “We are thrilled to again be bringing fresh Christmas trees from Starke County to Indiana’s Capitol.” 


About Hensler Nursery


For over sixty years, Hensler Nursery, Inc. has been growing high quality seedlings, transplants, and Christmas trees. A combination of fertile soils, a mild climate and expert foresters result in high-quality nursery plants and Christmas trees. Well-known in the industry for our seedlings and transplants, we also raise Scotch Pine, White Pine and Fraser Fir for wholesale and retail.

• John Hensler
• Phone: 574-867-4192
• Fax: 574-867-4960
• Email: Info@henslernurseryindiana.com
• View PDF Version

Hamlet, Indiana, November 11, 2014 – Hensler Nursery is donating farm-grown Christmas Trees to U.S. troops and military families through Trees for Troops®, a nationwide program of the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation in conjunction with the National Christmas Tree Association, the Indiana Christmas Tree Growers Association, and FedEx.

Last holiday season, more than 17,000 trees were delivered to 65 military bases in the U.S. and overseas. This brought the total to more than 139,000 Real Christmas Trees delivered through Trees for Troops since 2005.

Hensler Nursery is donating 30 White Pine and 10 Fraser Fir farm-grown Christmas trees. They will be delivered to the shipping point in Thornton, Indiana and disbursed to military bases and families nationally and internationally.

For 2014, Indiana growers are coming together to provide 182 total trees for this effort.

“We have been a proud participant of the Trees for Troops program since it began, making this our 10th year to support this great cause,” says Joe Hensler of Hensler Nursery. “Bringing real Christmas trees to the troops and families protecting America just seems like the right thing to do.”

Each year, hundreds of military families visit the Trees for Troops website and Facebook page to leave heartfelt thank you messages and pictures of their families celebrating around their beautifully decorated Christmas tree. For example, a message from a Camp Pendleton family read, “Thank you for our beautiful Christmas tree! We weren’t sure what we were going to do this year…Trees for Troops was an answer to our prayers.”

“Being involved with Trees for Troops is truly a gift that gives back,” said Nigel Manley, Christmas SPIRIT Foundation chairman. “It’s rewarding and meaningful to everyone involved, because it gives us the opportunity to say thank you to our troops, and help ensure military families have the kind of joyful, traditional Christmas memories that we would wish for America’s heroes.”

You can help support Trees for Troops by making a tax-deductible donation (www.treesfortroops.org) or by purchasing a Christmas tree at various farm & retail locations across the nation during Trees for Troops Weekend, Dec. 5-7, 2014.

About Hensler Nursery

For over sixty years, Hensler Nursery, Inc. has been growing high quality seedlings, transplants, and Christmas trees. A combination of fertile soils, a mild climate and expert foresters result in high-quality nursery plants and Christmas trees. Well-known in the industry for our seedlings and transplants, we also raise Scotch Pine, White Pine and Fraser Fir for wholesale and retail.
Visit our web site.

About Trees for Troops and the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation

The Christmas SPIRIT Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization that works to recognize and support the true spirit of Christmas for U.S. troops through the Trees for Troops® program. The foundation was established in 2005 as the charitable branch of the National Christmas Tree Association and is among fewer than 5 percent of U.S. charities to be awarded the “Best in America” seal of excellence by Independent Charities of America. Trees for Troops was a Top 20 Finalist in the 2012 Joining Forces Campaign, a White House initiative that honors exemplary support organizations for military families. To learn more, visit www.treesfortroops.org or call 636/449-5060.

About FedEx

FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $46 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world’s most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 300,000 team members to remain “absolutely, positively” focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. For more information, visit news.fedex.com.

2014 Food Service Schedule

We are pleased to announce the schedule of organizations who will set up shop in the Eats barn during Christmas Fest and offer food and beverage services.

Oregon-Davis Cheerleader Boosters

Weekend of November 28, 29 & 30

Fund raising efforts support the cheerleaders at Oregon-Davis Schools, Hamlet, IN.

Knox Tri Kappa, Zeta Eta, Inc.

Weekend of December 6 & 7

Funds are raised to provide scholarships to send local students to camps, and to provide for other local philanthropic needs.

Koontz Lake Lions

Weekend of December 13 & 14

The Lions have used their food sales proceeds to help needy families and for repairs to Lions Park, Koontz Lake, IN. 2014 proceeds will go for gift cards for Oregon-Davis families.

John Glenn Band Boosters

Weekend of December 20 & 21

The John Glenn Band Boosters support the band program at all John Glenn Schools in Walkerton, IN.

The food service vendors at Hensler Nursery’s Christmas Fest are provided a heated building with inside serving area and tables for customers to relax and warm up after their visit to the tree fields. Christmas Fest donates the space to the various vendors, free of charge. We do stipulate that all vendors must remain open and have their comforting food and beverages available until Christmas Fest closes for the evening. By supporting these vendors, you support many organizations and their charitable activities in our local communities.

Also provided in the Eats area is our favorite piano player, Pat, to entertain guests with favorite Christmas tunes.

by Anita Goodan

“A 26-foot Concolor Fir growing at Hensler Nursery in Hamlet will be cut down for Indiana’s Statehouse Rotunda tomorrow morning at 10 a.m.

This tree will be placed on a trailer for transport to Indianapolis and will be on display at Hensler’s over the weekend. The tree will be presented to the Governor on Wednesday, Dec. 12 in the Governor’s office at 9 a.m. ET.

Hensler Nursery has provided Indiana’s Statehouse Christmas tree for the past 25 years.

Hensler’s Statehouse tree will not be the only tree headed to Indianapolis. An eight foot Fir tree will be cut down, transported and placed in the Lt. Governor’s office. This is part of a larger project conducted by the Indiana’s Christmas Tree Growers Association to bring fresh live Christmas trees to the heart of Indiana’s government.

Indiana’s growers will be providing fresh trees to the Governor, the Department of Education, Department of Forestry, Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Agriculture.”

Read the full story on WKVI’s website.

http://youtu.be/QKvYN7o9VQ0