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Thousands of pine trees dot the neatly manicured landscape, where, beginning Nov. 28, families are invited to come out, grab a saw and head out into the fields.
With just 18 days before they officially open -- Friday after Thanksgiving -- the Millers are looking forward to the hundreds of families who will arrive in earnest to fulfill the time-honored tradition of selecting the perfect Christmas tree.
Scotch pines are the most popular, Eileen said, but the farm also has Colorado blue spruce and Norway spruce.
Eileen said scotch pine is more fragrant, plus it grows best, the needle retention is good, the needles are soft and the tree holds ornaments nicely.
Some people like to take their tree balled and burlapped, so Bob takes care of that chore.
However, the trees aren't immune from deer and other critters. Bob said deer like to eat pine needles, and Eileen said she and Bob are the "bug control," as they walk around and make sure the trees are pest-free.
"Our biggest competition is the fake tree," Eileen said. "A lot of people will buy fake trees and stay with them for a couple of years, but then they get tired of that and come back."
Bob said people miss the fragrance of a live tree, and also said a fresh-cut tree will last until New Year's if it's kept in a stand with water.
Six-to-7 foot scotch pines are the most popular, the Millers agree.
Eileen explained the trees are all hand-sheared.
"Pine trees grow very erratic, so after they finish growing, we come out with knives and shears and give them a pretty shape. It's very labor-intensive."
Both Eileen and Bob care for the trees, but with five children, 19 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, they do get some help.
"They enjoy coming out and working," Eileen said.
The Millers bought their property in 1985 and immediately started preparing the land and planting trees. They built their home on the property in 1993-'94 and moved there in 1996. About two years ago, they bought another five acres adjacent to their property where they began planting more pine trees.
Over the years, the Millers have seen lots of families and a few celebrities, too, including astronaut Neil Armstrong, and a TV anchor and radio disc jockey, both from Cincinnati.
The Millers are enjoying their retirement as Christmas tree farmers.
Bob, 72, had been self-employed in auto body and paint work in Colerain Township near Cincinnati, and Eileen, 71, was a dietitian with Diet Workshop.
Bob said originally they hadn't planned to move so far away from western Cincinnati, but the property was just ideal.
In addition to tree sales, Eileen soon will be busy making fresh pine swags and wreaths. She makes them, decorates them and offers them for sale. Additionally, every year, one of her wreaths is shipped to Alaska, where one of their sons lives. Bob said it cost more to ship it than it cost to make, but it's special for him to have something his mother has made.
In the small shelter house where Eileen has her equipment to make wreaths, a woodburning stove keeps buyers warm and a counter space soon will be decorated with a Santa Claus and stocked with free refreshments -- hot chocolate, coffee, tea and cookies.
"That's the fun part, " Eileen said. "The harvesting and being in the building talking to people. It's a good family day. If the kids come out and enjoy it, then it becomes a yearly thing."
More information . . .
-- What: Miller
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