Fraser fir shines brightest in Big E competition

There’s a new king of Christmas trees, and it hails from a merry Meriden farm in central Connecticut. Kogut Hemlock Hill Tree Farm earned the coveted Grand Champion Ribbon at the 2025 Eastern States Exposition (aka the Big E), held each autumn in West Springfield, MA. For Kathy and Bill Kogut, this blue ribbon win is a festive feather in their cap after decades of dedication. That winning instinct is rooted in experience. Bill has been raising Christmas trees for 63 years. Together, he and Kathy have been running Kogut Hemlock Hill Tree Farm for more than 25 years. Though their main farm in Meriden hosts around 2,000 trees, the Koguts grow the bulk of their crop (another 35,000 trees) at a secondary site in Enfield. Their specialty is the Fraser fir, known for its signature fragrance, strong branches and, most importantly, excellent needle retention. “The Fraser fir is by bar our best seller, and it’s for a reason,” Kathy explained. “You can put it up early, and it will still look great by Christmas morning.” Kathy’s roots in the industry are as deep as the trees they grow, and just as sturdy. She served as the executive director of the Connecticut Christmas Tree Growers Association for 23 years. She still oversees the board as president and represents Connecticut growers on the National Christmas Tree Association . Despite decades of involvement in tree farming and holiday horticulture, this year’s win at the Big E still provided the Koguts with a thrill. Kathy said, “We’ve been entering a tree every year since the competition began, and this time, we took home the top prize.” The Big E’s Christmas tree contest is a fierce but friendly competition, drawing entries from across New England. Some growers spend years grooming a tree for show, trimming, shaping and pampering it in preparation. Not Bill. “He doesn’t do any of that. Bill just walked out that morning, picked the tree he liked and brought it in,” Kathy laughed. “That’s just how he’s always done it.” That intuitive approach paid off big. Their selected tree stood tall among the dozens of entrants, impressing judges with its symmetry, vibrant color and classic holiday form. Even the runners-up were pleased. “We were honored to receive Reserve Grand Champion for our tree this year at the Big E, representing the best of the real Christmas tree industry,” said Seth Cranston of Cranston’s Christmas Tree Farm in Shelburne Falls, MA. They entered a Balsam fir. Kogut Hemlock Hill Tree Farm’s philosophy is grounded in tradition, but Kathy and Bill keep things personal. They know their customers, and they know their trees. It’s a combination that clearly works, both in the field and in competitions. “We don’t do this for the awards,” Kathy said with modest mirth. “But it sure feels good when it happens.” by Enrico Villamaino