This story first appeared as part of the Florida on a Tankful Holiday Spectacular.

In Gainesville, all roads lead to the University of Florida — unless you find the path less traveled.

Off the busy 69th Street in Gainesville awaits a sand road that leads to a small clearing.

"It's naturally planted," said John Gregory, co-owner of the Unicorn Hill Christmas Tree Farm with his wife.

Over the river and through the woods leads to where an icon of a Florida Christmas grows.

"The natives will come out and ask for a red cedar. That's their Christmas tree," John said.

John is ready to talk strategy in finding the best Christmas tree each year on Dec. 1 in Alachua County.

"They will see a tree over here," he said, pointing and beginning to re-enact a conversation he has heard for decades. "I really like this one, but there is one way on the other side. Stand here, and hold this tree for me," the customers will said, according to John. "That is how they pick them out," John said.

At the Unicorn Hill Christmas Tree Farm, visitors grab a saw starting on Dec. 1 and set out to the hills where the duel begins.

"Have the saw?" John said. "Everything is ready."

For one of these trees, the showdown among the rolling hills won't be merry or bright. Once that perfect tree is found, the harvesting begins.

"We don't sell a tree, we sell an experience," John, a retired math teacher, said.

No need to feel bad, though. This is the cycle of life at a Christmas tree farm. There are between 3,000 and 4,000 Christmas tree at the farm, John said.

At the Unicorn Hill Tree Farm, all the trees are planted in rows, but not by kind. Red Cedars grow happily next to a Carolina Sapphire.

Once you get your tree back to the farm, twine is provided to tie it up for the ride home.

NOTE: The Unicorn Hill Christmas Tree Farm opens for the 2016 chopping season Dec. 1. The season ends well before Christmas when John believes the hills are picked over. Call the farm before traveling to pick out the tree.

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