Wilson Staples, sheriff-turned-Christmas-tree-farmer, runs the whole operation with his wife Mary. He said he finds enjoyment in spreading holiday cheer with the Christmas trees.

 Michelle Payne/Times Virginian

The Christmas season is in full swing and sales are kicking up at Evergreen Christmas Tree Farm. Families and individuals from as far as Newport News, Midlothian and Chesterfield come out to select their home’s ideal Christmas tree from the farm’s offerings.

Meet Christmas tree farmer Wilson Staples. Some may recognize his name from his days of wearing the hat of Appomattox County Sheriff beginning in 1996, but he’s long since retired. Nowadays, with the help of his wife Mary, he keeps busy with his six-acre Christmas tree venture in the Evergreen community of Appomattox County.

The farm has afforded him an opportunity to make new friends and connect with folks that he otherwise would not have had the opportunity to meet. Many of his tree shoppers are regulars who come back year after year.

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