The economy has taken its toll on many businesses, and Treeland Nurseries is one of them.
Launched in 1951 by C. Cyril Klein, the business provided quality trees, shrubs and landscaping services for six decades, but has now closed.
An auction will be held at 9:30 a.m. Feb. 23 at 7016 Fish Hatchery Road, off U.S. 15 north of Frederick.
Klein had been superintendent of Mount Olivet Cemetery before launching the business, said his granddaughter, Natalie Boyles.
“My father, Robert, grew up at the cemetery,” Boyles said in the office of the closed business.
His father attended the University of Maryland, earned a degree in landscape architecture and then worked for the U.S. Park Service on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Her grandfather bought land off U.S. 40 on what is now known as the Golden Mile. The building went up in 1951, and the first shipment of trees and shrubs arrived in 1952.
“My grandfather also built a Gulf gas station on the site,” Boyles said. “He said it was in case the nursery business didn’t make it. That was operating in 50s and 60s, then closed.”
Charles Boyles had worked some summers at Treeland, then went to the University of Maryland for a degree in ornamental horticulture and plant pathology. He joined Treeland full time in 1972 and became a partner and company officer in 1977.
The then-Natalie Klein earned a degree in forestry and recreation at Colorado State University.
She became a science teacher and works at Monocacy Middle School, though she has taught at several other Frederick County Public Schools over the years. She and Charles got married, and Charles and Natalie’s brother, Charles, ran the business with her father.
In 1986, Robert Klein became ill. Charles Klein and Charles Boyles took over the business.
“There was not enough room on U.S. 40 anymore,” Charles Boyles said. “We had purchased the land on Fish Hatchery Road, and moved there in 1987. Charlie (Klein) got out of the business in 1996.”
The retail store, which provided 18 percent or less of the business revenue, was phased out in 1992.
“Commercial bidding is tough and the economy is not doing well now,” Charles Boyles said. “It is time to pursue other things. It has been a long time, we’ve just gotten worn out, and the younger generation isn’t interested.”
The Boyles’ son, Mark, is an Air Force pilot.
