She made a promise to her husband to keep their tree farm going

WOOSTER, Ohio — For Rita Dush, Christmas trees have many meanings.

“Land stewardship, beauty and happiness for families,” said Dush, owner of Pine Tree Barn in Wooster.

At the barn, there is a list of different types of trees that take time to grow. “It usually takes about eight years before harvest,” said Brad Moore, nursery manager at Pine Tree Farm.

It also takes time to choose the perfect tree. Once customers choose, they cut them down, shake out the pine trees and pack them up to leave. Even though the tree may last a month or two, the joy is forever.

“That’s the spirit of Christmas: you make families happy. You see happy little kids,” Moore said.

It’s not just the incredible experiences and memories that endure for guests. For Dush, Pine Tree Barn has a deeper meaning.

She lost her husband two years ago today. Roger and Rita built Pine Tree from the roots of Roger’s family farm, Yuletide Tree Farm, 40 years ago. They didn’t expect it to be as big as it is today, but they made a promise to themselves.

“We knew we weren’t going to live forever and we both wanted our farming business to continue. That’s why I still do it, and I’m sure if I were him and he was here, he would still do it too,” Rita said.

So every smile she sees on the farm brings her joy.

“It’s wonderful, absolutely wonderful, especially with little kids, but they’re smiling and happy and full of spirit,” Dush said.

Rita sees eight years of work, when Roger was by her side, come to life.

“It gives me a sense of purpose, I miss him,” she said.

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The farm is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and has a gift shop and restaurant on the property. For more information about Pine Tree Barn, click here.

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