Local tree farmer continues tradition of generosity at St. Mary’s Park

Maura Baker

Staff Writer

In years past, real Christmas trees decked the halls of local churches — the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington, St. Cecilia, Independence and St. Barabara, Erlanger, to name a few. These trees, some of which were up to 18 feet tall, were grown, supplied and donated by one man — Dr. Ron Lubbe.

And while fire laws have changed, and some of these churches have made the switch to artificial trees, Dr. Lubbe continues to grow Christmas trees annually to sell to families around the Northern Kentucky area — even in his mid 70s.

This year, Dr. Lubbe’s generosity to the Church continued with a donation of a tree to stand in St. Mary’s Park, Covington — continuing the yearly tradition of this Cathedral Square display, decorated in bulbs representing the Diocese of Covington’s parishes, schools and institutions.

Describing himself as a “frustrated farmer,” Dr. Lubbe’s father, also a farmer, insisted he continued his schooling to afford his farming dreams. After receiving his doctorate in medical school, Mr. Lubbe bought the property that he now lives and grows the trees on to this day.

Originally, Dr. Lubbe’s farm kept heads of cattle, chickens and hay, work that got “too demanding” as Dr. Lubbe got older. The switch to growing trees was an idea from a friend, a thought that had Dr. Lubbe think, “That’s a good idea!” In addition to Christmas trees, Dr. Lubbe grows other trees from seeds on his property, including chestnuts, persimmons and paw paws.

As for the Austrian pine currently standing prominently in St. Mary’s Park, Dr. Lubbe says that he has “two more for the next two years” to help decorate the park for more Christmas seasons to come.