Hughes Christmas Trees, specializing in the scent of Christmas, are known internationally. That is just one part of G&C Hughes Enterprises Ltd. Located in New Ross, NS, G&C Hughes Enterprises is made up of three companies: Hughes Trucking & Contracting, Hughes Diesel Repair and Colin Hughes Forestry. They grow and sell Christmas trees, provide firewood, forestry services, trucking, diesel repair and parts, as well as a small engine shop offering Stihl, Honda and more. I had a chance to chat with Colin Hughes about his family’s business.
Q1. How did G&C Hughes Enterprises get its start, and what inspired you to go into forestry?
Forestry has been in our family since the beginning; I worked my first year in Christmas trees with my Uncle when I was 11-12 years old picking up brush and cleaning the yard. Then very quickly got into other stuff. I am a diesel mechanic by trade. I moved to the Valley for a few years and moved back home in 1985 to help my dad. We worked together for five years before he passed.
Forestry has always been in our background. There was a point when I was running the garage, Dad was running the trucks and a bit of construction. We had a few employees. Times were harder. I said we need to change it up. I saved enough money to build a garage on my own property. I then took that money and bought a skidder and took a contract with Scott Paper. Then we were making work for our trucks, which was making work for our garage. Basically, it evolved from there.
For years my dad bought all of his Christmas trees. After taking over, I bought our first piece of land and turned it into Christmas trees and kept going. We are always planning for the future.
Q2. How much land do you own now?
Over 4000 acres. About 1500 acres of our own land, 500 acres under lease in Christmas Trees, and approximately 2500 acres of timbre.
Q3. Has it always been a family business?
Always. My sons will be the third generation. My Dad started it back in 1972. My grandson has already said that he wants going to work for Grampy.
Q4. For someone that has never heard of you before, how would you describe your business?
We are very diversified. We make our own work and repair everything that does it. I have phenomenal staff, a very big family. We are the only Christmas tree supplier that is trademarked, The Scent of Christmas is our trademark.
Q5. How many full-time staff do you have year-round?
We employ about 35 full-time staff. At peak harvest time starting in October, we had about 90 last year.
Q6. How far do your Christmas trees travel?
We have shipped to Thailand, Singapore, Aruba, Panama, Cayman Islands, all of the Eastern Seaboard, Western Canada, Caracas, Jamaica. We get around. The Nova Scotia Christmas tree has touched a lot of people.
Q7. Any milestones or achievements you would like to share?
A few years ago, our trees were advertised in New York City as Hughes Christmas Trees. I was overwhelmed by it. In 2023 our business won the large business award from Lunenburg Queens Business Awards. That was an achievement for all of us.
Q8. How many Christmas trees did you sell last year?
146,000 in total
120,000 was from our own land. The balance comes from local growers.
Q9. What goes into growing a Christmas tree?
It is a minimum of a 12-year commitment and investment, from seedling to harvest. You nurture and invest along the way and hope it makes it to market.
Q10. How do you manage for sustainability?
We are nature people. We don’t spray unless we absolutely have to. It is necessary. It is a very controlled spray and limited. We analyze our soil and fertilize where needed for maximum growth. We grow our trees differently. We have exceptionally good regeneration. We plant over 200,000 trees a year. If you go to one of our lots you will see birds everywhere. We have lots of beneficial insects as well.
Q11. What is a challenge for your business?
If I had a wish, my wish would be to get more staff like I already have. That is our only restraint from growth.
Q12. How does your business give back to the local community?
I have been involved with every community group you can imagine. I was a member of the fire department when I was young. I was involved in getting the New Ross Family Resource Center off the ground. It was all about the kids. I also helped run family gym night for eight years when my kids were going through school. I’m involved with the Christmas Trees Growers Association. We continue to support local groups and initiatives.
Q13. Where can someone buy a Hughes Christmas Tree locally?
Our u-pick is open over three weekends during the Holiday season. We also have a retail lot in New Minas at Kent Building Supplies. People come from all over – Halifax, Yarmouth, Annapolis. We have a great following.
Q14. Any advice for someone thinking of exploring a resource-based business or career?
You can’t be scared of work.