For over four decades it has been a Christmas tradition to select a Christmas Tree from Wiggins Christmas Tree Farm in Statesboro, GA. Robert Wiggins and his wife, Anita, have been furnishing the citizens of Bulloch County with live Christmas trees for over 40 years. On Thanksgiving Day, they opened to the public once again.
The Wiggins family bought their current property in 1979 and began planting trees in 1980. In 1983, Wiggins sold his first tree.
“It started as a hobby, continued as a hobby, but it got a little bigger than a hobby,” Robert Wiggins explained.
Wiggins worked in engineering and purchasing for 42 years, while his wife, Anita, was an elementary school media specialist for over 30 years in Bulloch County. Their free time was devoted to their family and their “family hobby,” as Robert describes it.
As their boys, Brian Wiggins and Chad Wiggins, grew up, they helped their father in the family business. Wiggins now has a small team of young men and women to help, and they are committed to continuing to provide what Wiggins’ customers want.
“We sold our trees for several years, and then people started asking about Frazier fir trees,” Robert Wiggins says. "Frazier firs are the trees that come out of cold climates -- Boone, North Carolina, that area. They are the Cadillac of the trees.”
While the “choose and cut” option has ceased due to Wiggins' decision to stop planting five years ago, faithful patrons can still choose quality trees that are shipped from the Tarheel State. At the time of this interview, Wiggins was awaiting the truck’s arrival.
“We get repeat customers every year," he said. "We buy number one trees, and we have them from 6ft up to about 13ft. They are very nice trees.”
In addition to selling trees to the residents of Statesboro, Wiggins provides trees for the Bulloch County Courthouse as well.
Christmas enthusiasts can tour Robert & Anita’s home, which is adorned in all things festive and seasonal. They even have a fully decorated, upside-down tree.
Wiggins is not sure how much longer he will continue to sell trees, but he is excited about the upcoming season.
“I just really enjoy it; it’s just fun,” he says.
Wiggins’ Christmas Trees’ hours of operation are Monday through Friday: 10-7, Sat: 9-7, Sun: 1-7pm. They are located at 19376 US 80 W, Statesboro, GA.
For more information about Wiggins’ Christmas Trees, please visit their Facebook page or call Mr. Robert Wiggins at (912) 536-4536.
