After over 25 years of service in North Kitsap, Forester Bob’s Christmas Tree Farm on Sawdust Hill Road will be closing Dec. 17.

The tree farm is operated by longtime forester Bob Kline, who has leased 10 of the 40 acres there since 1990. The first year was in 1997 after much work was done to the site, along with allowing the trees to grow to the proper size.

Kline said now is the right time to call it quits given he is coming to the end of his crops that he started to grow about eight years ago. He also cited age and health as reasons to retire.

“It’s a lot of fun, you make good friends,” Kline said. “I do spend time trying to make the trees equal to or better than the competition. It’s been a labor of love for a while.”

As for if the tree farm is going to be taken over by someone else, Kline said, “I haven’t heard that there’s any interest in continuing the Christmas trees.”

The farm is a U-Cut operation offering a selection of Noble, Nordmann, Grand and Shasta Firs. They also sell decorated wreaths and offer free candy canes, cookies, hot chocolate and cider.

Kline said most of his business comes from returning customers every year, some of which are families that have been coming for three to four generations. Employees include his wife, a cashier and a few high schoolers who help in the field with the trees.

Forester Bob’s is located at 2900 NE Sawdust Hill Road near Poulsbo and is open on weekends.