A centenarian Christmas tree farmer near Kemptville, Ont., is marking a milestone this season. Pud Johnston, owner of Johnston Brothers Tree Farm, has turned 100 years old and he is still hard at work at the farm he opened more than seven decades ago. “I love the trees. I love the outdoors, the fresh air and the exercise is healthful,” he said. At 100 years old, Pud is out here most days, tending to the trees he has spent a lifetime growing. “Well, I stay fit. I watch my diet, I keep my weight down, I get adequate sleep, and I can still do a little work about three or four hours a day,” he said. His son Kerry says watching his father continue the work he loves has been remarkable. “I think that it’s almost impossible to believe. You know, there are no old people working the same way that my father is,” Kerry said. As generations of families return to the farm each year, Kerry says they have watched those customers grow up. “We have children who are now adults that come here that remember, you know, dad and mom and the activity, but now they have children and that’s quite a thing that, you know, we have that long longevity,” Kerry said. “We’ve been married and together for 60 years. Yeah, a long time,” said Sheila Johnston, Pud’s wife. According to Sheila, the trees are still what keep him moving every day. “I think he needs his trees. He needs to come out and get the exercise. Probably needs to have some alone time,” she said laughing. And even at 100, when asked about retirement, it still seems to be more of a joke than a plan. “This year. Yeah, I think I’ve retired already,” Pud replied laughing. For now, Pud is happy right where he has always been, among the trees for another year of Christmas memories.
