Setting out with family and friends to find the perfect Christmas tree is a seasonal tradition in the Southeast, where Christmas tree farms number close to 4000 with many offering Choose and Cut options. Second in the nation for the number of Christmas trees harvested, North Carolina alone produces an estimated 50 million Fraser fir Christmas trees.
Tips for Choosing and Cutting Your Own Christmas Tree
Photo of the popular Fraser fir Christmas tree: Courtesy of the National Christmas Tree Association
1) Before leaving home, take measurements of the ceiling height and width of the space for your tree.
2) Call the Christmas tree farm you have selected to confirm their hours of operation.
3) Confirm what, if any, equipment you will need to take. Most tree farms supply saws, netting and other supplies.
4) In almost all cases, chainsaws are not permitted.
5) Dress in layers to avoid becoming too cold (or too warm from exertion) and wear comfortable sturdy shoes, suitable for uneven terrain. Also, pack some rain gear, just in case.
6) Many, although not all, farms offer hayrides, shopping, snacks and other festive activities, so plan for enough time to enjoy the complete experience.
7) Review safety rules with children.
8) Watch this short video: Tips for Picking a Christmas Tree.
2) Call the Christmas tree farm you have selected to confirm their hours of operation.
3) Confirm what, if any, equipment you will need to take. Most tree farms supply saws, netting and other supplies.
4) In almost all cases, chainsaws are not permitted.
5) Dress in layers to avoid becoming too cold (or too warm from exertion) and wear comfortable sturdy shoes, suitable for uneven terrain. Also, pack some rain gear, just in case.
6) Many, although not all, farms offer hayrides, shopping, snacks and other festive activities, so plan for enough time to enjoy the complete experience.
7) Review safety rules with children.
8) Watch this short video: Tips for Picking a Christmas Tree.
Find a Choose and Cut Christmas Tree Farm
The following websites offer information about the locations of Christmas tree farms, the varieties grown and sold and other helpful tips for planning your Choose and Cut Christmas tree experience:
The Georgia Christmas Tree Association
Most of the Christmas tree growers in Georgia operate Choose and Cut farms, selling directly to the customer. Popular Georgia-grown trees include the Leyland cypress, Virginia pine, Eastern red cedar and Arizona cypress, which has two cultivars: the Carolina Sapphire and Blue Ice. Visit the Georgia Christmas Tree Association Website, where you can locate a Georgia Choose and Cut Christmas tree farm on a map of the state.The Kentucky Christmas Tree Association
Christmas trees grown in Kentucky include the Balsam fir, Colorado Blue Spruce, Canaan fir, Concolor or White fir, Douglas fir, Fraser fir, Norway Spruce, Scotch Pine, Virginia Pine, Eastern White Pine and White Spruce. Visit the Kentucky Christmas Tree Association Website to find a map and alphabetical listing of Christmas tree farms, including several Choose and Cut locations, throughout Kentucky.The North Carolina Christmas Tree Association
The Fraser fir is the tree of choice in North Carolina, representing 95 percent of the Christmas trees grown in the state. Other species include the White Pine, Canaan fir, Blue Spruce and Scotch Pine. Visit the North Carolina Christmas Tree Association Website for a listing of Choose and Cut Farms, retail lots and lots of helpful information about finding your perfect Christmas tree in North Carolina.Held annually from mid to late November through mid December, the NC High Country Choose and Cut Festival features hotel packages, hayrides, holiday dining events, holiday-themed performances, events at popular ski areas and plenty of other festive activities.
Also visit the Eastern North Carolina Christmas Tree Growers Association Website.
