Christmas Tree Farms
Real Christmas tree farms in the USA · u-cut and pre-cut · est. 2016

Visiting a cut-your-own tree farm

Cutting your own tree is the one way to know exactly how fresh it is. It is also a proper family outing: most farms add wagon rides, wreaths and hot coffee on top. A little planning makes the difference between a tradition and a cold, muddy argument.

When to go

  • Most farms open the season on Black Friday; the weekend after Thanksgiving is the busiest of the year.
  • Going early means the best selection. A tree cut in late November keeps to Christmas fine if it goes into water the same day and stays away from heat.
  • Buying a low-retention species such as grand fir or Norway spruce? Oregon State suggests waiting until early December to cut.
  • Check the farm's website or Facebook page before driving: hours, prices, payment methods and tree availability change season to season. Some farms sell out and close early.

What to bring and wear

  • Winter boots and old clothes. Fields are muddy, trees are sticky.
  • Work gloves for whoever cuts and loads.
  • Rope or ratchet straps, plus an old blanket or tarp to protect the car roof.
  • A tape measure. Trees look far smaller in an open field than in a living room. Measure your ceiling before you leave, subtract stand and topper height, and measure the tree before you cut.
  • Cash or a card as the farm's payment page dictates. Many small farms are cash-preferred.

At the farm

  • Farms usually provide saws (hand saws; chainsaws are rightly banned).
  • Some farms pre-tag trees ready for harvest this season. On untagged fields, ask which blocks are open before cutting: a 5 ft tree may be three years from its best.
  • After cutting, farms typically offer shaking (removes dead interior needles), baling (wraps the tree in netting) and drilling for pin-type stands.
  • Take the baling. It protects branches in transport and makes carrying the tree through a doorway painless. Leave the netting on until the tree is in the stand.

Getting it home

  • Blanket on the roof, tree on the blanket, trunk facing forward. Highway wind blowing into the cut end will not strip needles; wind blowing up the branches will.
  • Tie at three points: bottom, middle, top. Use the roof rack if you have one.
  • Give the tree a firm tug before driving. AAA advises exactly that, and slow roads home if you can.
  • At home, get the trunk into water the same day. If it will wait a day or two, stand it in a bucket of water in a cool garage first. Then see care after cutting.

Sources: Michigan State University Extension · Oregon State University · AAA transport advice