spaswinefood: A Visit to a Guatemalan Christmas Tree Farm

This year we are spending Christmas in Guatemala. Around Antigua, Guatemala Christmas decorations have been up for awhile. In fact I took this photo at the Porta Hotel Antigua recently. I never thought much about Christmas trees until last weekend.

Christmas Tree at Porta Hotel Antigua © Spaswinefood

Last weekend we visited El Espinero Christmas Tree Farm at 94.5 km. on the Pan-American Highway Tecpán, Chimaltenango. When we arrived in Tecpán to get to the El Espinero Christmas Tree Farm we drove up a mountain road for 7 kilometers, to an elevation of approximately 3, 000 meters. At the top of the mountain there is an ecologically farmed Christmas tree farm. Finca El Espinero reforestation project began in 1997. It is one of two tree farms in the Tecpán area. At these farms you can get a legal form of this special fir tree. The trees are Abies guatemalensis or Guatemalan Fir. The Guatemalan fir needs special climatic conditions to grow. In the wild this tree is threatened. It is hoped that projects, such as this one will contribute to the overall survival of the Guatemalan fir in the long run.

A view of the valley from near the mountain top © Spaswinefood

Volcanoes Agua and Acatenango in the distance © Spaswinefood

When we reached the mountaintop we drove into a parking lot near the Christmas tree growing area. El Espinero is a very special place and well worth the ride up the mountain.

A dammed lake at the top of the mountain © Spaswinefood

Guatemalan Fir (Abies guatemalenis) growing at El Espinero © Spaswinefood

There were SUV's and trucks with Christmas trees to bring back home. There were also children and dogs playing in the fresh mountain air.

At the top of the mountain there was even 6 month old St. Bernard dog © Spaswinefood

Cars ready to bring the Christmas trees back home © Spaswinefood

There is nothing like being at high elevation to make you hungry. We had Guatemalan hot chocolate and tortillas for lunch. Just imagine being there at the top of the mountain in the Guatemalan Highlands with Guatemalan tortillas filled with cheese and hot chocolate. Of course, there was chorizo as well.