Andrew & Doug Drysdale

The Huronia Woodland Owners Association awarded its White Pine Award last week to the Doug Drysdale Jr. family for their long-term commitment to sustainable forestry and maintaining healthy and productive woodlots. Accepting the award were Doug Drysdale Jr. and his son, Andrew. The Drysdales are the 45th recipients of this award, which is bestowed annually to a person or group that displays remarkable care and promotion of a healthy forest. Interestingly, Reg Drysdale, grandfather of Doug Drysdale Jr., was the second recipient of this award back in 1982. Since 1945, the Drysdale family has operated Christmas tree farms throughout Simcoe County. They were the first to introduce the concept of “cut your own,” and the trend caught on rapidly. Andrew is the fourth generation to operate this well-known enterprise, which has grown to include a retail shop, wedding venue and nursery for landscape trees.