The Back Achers Christmas Tree Farm is family owned and was founded by Frank Barick after he retired from the N.C Wildlife Resources Commission. Frank held a Master’s Degree from the University of NY School of Forestry at Syracuse. Since 1978, the trees were planted and grown by Frank until he passed, at age 98.
In 2014, Frank's son, Brad, retired from his career work and moved from Wisconsin to North Carolina. He moved primarily to oversee his father's care and to get the neglected tree fields and farm back in shape. Until Brad got involved, there had been no new tree planting since 2009, after Bruce (Frank's oldest son) passed. In March of 2017, some 200 Carolina Sapphires, 200 Green Giants, and 100 Leyland Cypress were planted. In early 2018, some 600 more trees, including Leyland Cypress, Green Giant's, White Pine, Virginia Pine, and Red Cedars were planted. There were some 1300 more trees planted in early 2019. Through 2021, an additional 4,300 trees have been planted. The trees are coming back. Since moving to North Carolina, Brad has worked tirelessly to get the remaining Christmas trees sheared, clear the fields of the over grown trees, and plant new trees. It was Frank's desire that Brad would allow his legacy to live on after he passed. Frank wanted the many loyal families, for whom coming to Back-Acher's Christmas Tree Farm was a large part of their Christmas tradition, to have the opportunity to continue doing so. Brad is doing just that.
Frank was ushered into Heaven on Father's Day 2017 at the age of 98. He passed in his home on the farm, in his sleep without pain, with Brad by his side, just as he had hoped. He cherished the many families he had met through the years providing their trees. He is missed, was greatly admired and loved, and will never be forgotten.