Kathy and Will Almendinger
Our Story
In 1964, Will Almendinger opened his first Christmas tree lot on a street corner in Robbinsdale, Minnesota to support his way through college. He named the tree lot “Willy’s Wonderland” and sold cultured Scotch Pine, Norway Pine, and wild Balsam that he cut near his boyhood home in northern Minnesota.
Will married his high school sweetheart, Kathy, in 1963, and throughout the late ’60s and early ’70s, “Willy’s Wonderland” expanded to include multiple Christmas tree lots across the northern metropolitan area. To assist with the retail operation, Will went into partnership with his brother, Russ Almendinger, and brother-in-law, Charlie Edling. “Willy’s Wonderland” was now a family affair.
Will and Kathy with daughter, Joy, and son, Dan.
PQT Company
With the new change in ownership, the three partners decided to change the name of their retail lot operation to “Premium Quality Trees.” They used this name until a cold December night in 1973 when a customer tried to write a check with a frozen pen. With dwindling ink, she asked if she could make her check out to PQT for short. From that day forward, we would be known as PQT Company.
In 1974, Will, Russ, and Charlie incorporated PQT Company and planted their first field of trees on land they purchased in Isanti County. The plantation consisted of Scotch Pine, Norway Pine, White Pine, and Balsam Fir. It was their goal to grow enough trees to supply the retail lots, so a second plantation was purchased and planted the next year.
Will and Kathy with their four grandchildren: Cole, Kylie, Jordan, and Luc.
Photographer: Glenda Lipp.
Wholesale
As the trees grew, they realized they had more trees ready for the market than they could sell at their retail lots. So, the partners called on nurseries, independent retailers, and non-profit organizations who were interested in selling Christmas trees for fundraising opportunities.
Cut-Your-Own Farms
In the 1980s, the partners at PQT opened their first two cut-your-own farms – the Stacy Tree Farm in Stacy, Minnesota, and Rum River Tree Farm in Oak Grove. A few years later, they added a third farm, Hampton Hills, to serve their customers in the southeast metro area.
Permanent Headquarters
In 1996, PQT Company built an office and warehouse at Rum River Tree Farm in Oak Grove. Today, Rum River Tree Farm is a full-service nursery and landscaping company, offering a full line of trees, evergreens, shrubs, annuals, perennials, delivery, planting, and landscape services.
Quality Service
For over 50 years, Rum River Tree Farm has strived to put quality first, offering premium products at a competitive price. We thank you for your past business and hope we have the opportunity to serve you again in the future!
