Today we’d like to introduce you to Beau Coan.
Hi Beau, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
In 1976, my father, along with my grandmother and his brothers and sisters, bought 350 acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina and began growing Fraser Fir Christmas trees. A few years later, after searching across the country for the right place to sell them, my dad chose Austin, Texas, as our retail home. In 1981, we made our first trip—and we’ve been coming back every year since.
Today, I own and operate the business my father built. It’s still a family-run operation, from the farms in North Carolina to our lots here in Central Texas. My goal is simple: honor the tradition he started, take care of our customers, and keep bringing real Christmas trees to Austin for as long as I possibly can. This season marks our 45th year serving the Austin community.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My father passed away in 2022 from a 3-year bout with cancer. While he was receiving treatment, he was unable to come to Austin for the first time since 1981. I ran it in his place, and in doing so, learned a ton. Upon his passing, the bussiness transfered to me. Those years I ran it without him were hard, but he was still there, guiding me from his home in N.C. and helping me when things got tough. When he passed away, I felt a huge void and became uncertain about my ability to run a company this size with so many moving parts. But his guidance and training proved to be invaluable. He made sure I had everything I needed to keep this business running smoothly. I miss him very much, but I’m so grateful for everything he taught me along the way.
We’ve been impressed with Papa Noel Christmas Trees, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We are a family-owned Christmas tree business that grows, harvests, and retails our own Fraser Fir trees from our farms in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. What sets us apart is that we control the entire process — from seedling to stand — so we know exactly where every tree comes from and how it was grown.
We’ve specialized in Fraser Firs for decades because they’re the gold standard: strong branches, great needle retention, and that classic Christmas shape. Our trees are cut fresh, shipped directly to Texas, and sold within days — not weeks — which makes a noticeable difference in quality and longevity.
Brand-wise, we’re most proud of our consistency and our reputation. We’ve served Austin families for 45 years, and many of our customers have been coming to us since they were kids. We’re not a pop-up lot, and we’re not chasing trends — we’re built on trust, craftsmanship, and long-term relationships.
Beyond trees, we focus on service. We offer delivery, professional setup, and post-holiday recycling because we know people want the experience to be easy, not stressful. At the end of the day, what we want readers to know is that when they buy from us, they’re supporting a real family, real farms, and a tradition that’s been part of Austin’s holiday season for generations.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
You can’t take things for granted, and every year, you start over. In our business, we make a year’s worth of profits in 4 weeks. That happens with meticulous planning and strategizing for each upcoming season. You have to be ready to adapt to changes and go with the flow.
Pricing:
- table top trees, $19.99
- 7-8′ trees, $159-$199
- 15′ plus trees…$899 and up!
- Delivery and recycle: $39.99-$100
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.papanoeltrees.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/papanoeltrees/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/papanoelchristmastrees
Image Credits
All photos taken by Beau Coan
