Billy Gandy

Billy Gandy (born c. 1941) is the former owner and operator, with his wife, Katie, of Gandy Christmas Tree Farm near Vance in Tuscaloosa County.

Shortly after their marriage, the couple wondered what to do with the 27 acres of land that had belonged to Katie's family for generations. Billy planted about 250 Virginia pines around 1990, which were ready by 1994, when they made their first few sales. Once the farm was established, the couple sold approximately 500 trees each year.

With their grandchildren grown, meaning less help, the couple began planting less trees around 2010 and finally retired after the 2012 Christmas season. They plan to convert their farm to some other type of plant.

References

• Eaton, Kim. (December 2, 2012). "Last year for longtime Christmas tree farm." The Tuscaloosa News