| History of the Ingalls Tree Farm |
During World War II, Ralph Ingalls returned home to his wife Doris and family from the battle of
Pelilieu in the Pacific theatre with a purple heart from the Marine Corps and the determination
to resume an interrupted construction business. After several years of commercial and private
land clearing and excavation, the idea was presented to Ralph that the 80 acres of stony soil
he inherited from his father Louis, a sawmill owner, might be put to use for mixed-species tree
planting.
In 1959, about 5 acres of scrub land was bulldozed, stone-picked and harrowed, and nearly
10,000 tree seedlings, mostly White Spruce and Pines, were planted. Each year thereafter saw
more land clearing and planting, when in 1965 Ralph sold 5 Christmas trees to launch what is
today a thriving tree farm of 180 acres.
With the profits made from the sale of land-cleared firewood and premium flat field stone, Ralph
continued to add acreage and experiment with various tree species. The nutrient-poor soil
required frequent applications of fertilizer and lime, and successfully supported species such as
Blue and White Spruces, White Pine and Fraser Fir. Other non-indigenous trees, however,
such as Douglas Fir and Scotch Pine, did not fare well and were phased out, left to other area
farms which had better successes with them. The ongoing battles with various pests was a way
of life, such as in 1983 when a severe gypsy moth infestation threatened a large percentage of
the plantation.
Ralph was a strong advocate of cooperation with other tree farms in the area, and frequently
referred wholesale and retail customers to them. Often, he would provide critical guidance to
fledgling tree farmers who found that starting a new business required a long-term land
investment before production was realized, a major hurdle to overcome. Convinced that the
numerous but small Connecticut tree farms were strengthened by working together and
learning from each other, Ralph became an active member of the Connecticut Christmas Tree
Growers Association, and served as the organization's president during the 1980's.
On October 1, 2002, Ralph passed away at the age of 84. Since his only two sons, Doug (who
managed the farm for many years) and Jeff predeceased him, the future of the farm was
uncertain. However, it continues today as a trust under the guidance of his nephew, James
Ingalls, while the day-to-day operation is overseen by a highly competent crew led by Foreman
James Allen, and Robert Briere, who are determined to ensure the farm's success.
Pelilieu in the Pacific theatre with a purple heart from the Marine Corps and the determination
to resume an interrupted construction business. After several years of commercial and private
land clearing and excavation, the idea was presented to Ralph that the 80 acres of stony soil
he inherited from his father Louis, a sawmill owner, might be put to use for mixed-species tree
planting.
In 1959, about 5 acres of scrub land was bulldozed, stone-picked and harrowed, and nearly
10,000 tree seedlings, mostly White Spruce and Pines, were planted. Each year thereafter saw
more land clearing and planting, when in 1965 Ralph sold 5 Christmas trees to launch what is
today a thriving tree farm of 180 acres.
With the profits made from the sale of land-cleared firewood and premium flat field stone, Ralph
continued to add acreage and experiment with various tree species. The nutrient-poor soil
required frequent applications of fertilizer and lime, and successfully supported species such as
Blue and White Spruces, White Pine and Fraser Fir. Other non-indigenous trees, however,
such as Douglas Fir and Scotch Pine, did not fare well and were phased out, left to other area
farms which had better successes with them. The ongoing battles with various pests was a way
of life, such as in 1983 when a severe gypsy moth infestation threatened a large percentage of
the plantation.
Ralph was a strong advocate of cooperation with other tree farms in the area, and frequently
referred wholesale and retail customers to them. Often, he would provide critical guidance to
fledgling tree farmers who found that starting a new business required a long-term land
investment before production was realized, a major hurdle to overcome. Convinced that the
numerous but small Connecticut tree farms were strengthened by working together and
learning from each other, Ralph became an active member of the Connecticut Christmas Tree
Growers Association, and served as the organization's president during the 1980's.
On October 1, 2002, Ralph passed away at the age of 84. Since his only two sons, Doug (who
managed the farm for many years) and Jeff predeceased him, the future of the farm was
uncertain. However, it continues today as a trust under the guidance of his nephew, James
Ingalls, while the day-to-day operation is overseen by a highly competent crew led by Foreman
James Allen, and Robert Briere, who are determined to ensure the farm's success.
| Ralph G. Ingalls, Founder |
| Trivia: Ralph's relationship to Laura Ingalls Wilder is 7th cousin, once removed. Common ancestor is Henry Ingalls (1627-1718) |
| From the Sawmill Days |
At left is Ralph's father Louis (driver) in an
old Kissel truck with chain drive and hand
crank. This Hartford (Wisconsin) produced
truck featured acetylene lights and right
hand steering.
Ralph's older brother, Jim Ingalls, recollects,
"I saw that truck when I was a little kid but
how old I was I don't know. It was obsolete
then and not being used. The year of the
truck could be somewhere around 1910 to
1915. They were using horses for lumbering
but trucks were gradually replacing them.
Father (Louis) would buy Cadillacs, use
them for about a year, then cut the body off
and make trailers of them."
old Kissel truck with chain drive and hand
crank. This Hartford (Wisconsin) produced
truck featured acetylene lights and right
hand steering.
Ralph's older brother, Jim Ingalls, recollects,
"I saw that truck when I was a little kid but
how old I was I don't know. It was obsolete
then and not being used. The year of the
truck could be somewhere around 1910 to
1915. They were using horses for lumbering
but trucks were gradually replacing them.
Father (Louis) would buy Cadillacs, use
them for about a year, then cut the body off
and make trailers of them."
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| Ingalls Tree Farm |