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Marianne and Wayne Hallock, owners of Hallock’s Cider Mill in Laurel, reside next door to the farm stand and bakery in an old North Fork farmhouse built in 1860.

After one heavy snowstorm last February, the top of a beautiful old maple tree — some 40 plus feet tall — was ripped off. While Wayne was trying to figure out how to cut the tree down, Marianne had other ideas.

She took to the internet and found some inspiration on Pinterest.

She was looking for something, “that would bring happiness and would be kind of whimsical,” she said.

That’s how the couple’s gnome tree was born.

Their carpenter, Jerod Zeltman of Riverhead, who has been working on restoring their farm house, spent about three weeks making the windows and houses for the tree out of recycled wood. They bought the gnomes from Rocky Point Statuary and online to create the fairy-like village around the tree.

“I see people’s eyes light up when they see it, especially the older people,” said Marianne.

“It brings the child out in us all,” added Wayne. “I just love it.”

Marianne said that they will keep adding to it. One idea is a little mailbox where children can put letters that they write to the gnomes and she will answer them.

They eagerly welcome visitors to the gnome tree and their farm stand, located at 1960 Main Road in Laurel.

See more pics below.

It’s your North Fork Sunday Scene

Credit: Barbaraellen Koch
Credit: Barbaraellen Koch
Credit: Barbaraellen Koch
Credit: Barbaraellen Koch
Credit: Barbaraellen Koch
Credit: Barbaraellen Koch
Credit: Barbaraellen Koch
Credit: Barbaraellen Koch
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