End of an era: Former Fox Island Christmas tree farm set for redevelopment

A former Christmas tree farm in Pierce County will soon become eight custom homes, marking a final goodbye to a beloved family business.

The Ketcham Christmas tree farm on Fox Island opened in the 1970s, but closed after its founder died in 2011.

Garrette Homes, a local developer, has preliminary plans to develop the property into single-family homes, ranging from 3,000 to 4,000 square feet, The Tacoma News Tribune reported.

A new luxury community

The anticipated gated community is currently titled Ozette Estates. The home designs include space for detached shops and accessory dwelling units, with primary bedrooms on the main floor.

Homes are expected to start at $1.6 million, offering a Pacific Northwest atmosphere on Fox Island.

Garrette Homes will not begin construction on the first home until early 2027, a spokesperson told The Tacoma News Tribune.

Tree farm legacy

Donald G. Ketcham, Jr., bought and cleared the land in the 1970’s for a Christmas tree lot. After serving in the U.S. Air Force and working for Boeing as an instructor pilot, the farm kept him busy after retirement, his son, John Ketcham, told The Tacoma News Tribune. 

The family business was known for allowing families who could not afford a tree to pick one out from the lot on Christmas Eve.

The farm was sold to another Fox Island resident in 2013 after Donald Ketcham’s passed away in 2011. The family noted it was not possible to continue the farm, even though they would have loved to keep operating it. Most recently, in June 2026, the lot sold to Garrett Homes for $2.1 million, The Tacoma News Tribune reported.

Honoring local history

The Garrett Homes’ division president did express interest in honoring the farm’s history and impact on the Fox Island community.

Half of the trees will be left on the land on the sound side of the property. The developer for the project grew up on Fox Island and highlighted memories of riding 4-by-4s nearby.

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