Best Places to Cut Your Own Christmas Tree

Now that nearly every store in the area has decked their halls, so to speak, in full Christmas regalia, most of us have started thinking about our own holiday decorations. And that, of course, means a Christmas tree.

When it comes to Christmas trees, there are plenty of choices—from fake trees to fresh-cut live trees. And while there’s no denying that fake Christmas trees have come a long way in terms of looking and feeling realistic, it’s hard to beat the smell of a live Christmas tree.

Christmas tree lots have already started popping up all over the city and surrounding areas. But if you’re looking for a little more adventure, then you might want to consider taking the family out to select and cut your own tree. Fortunately, you have options. To help make the process a little easier for you, we took a look at farms in the surrounding areas that offer cut-your-own Christmas trees to find five of our favorites.

We selected our favorite farms based on the following factors:

1. Good selection of trees
2. Reasonable prices
3. Special activities or services to make the experience even more memorable

If you’ve never cut your own tree before, then consider it this year. Not only is it a great way to spend some time outdoors as a family—but you might just find that it becomes a new holiday tradition!

Be sure to visit one of these great Christmas tree farms this holiday season, and in the meantime, have a happy holiday from all of us here at Richmond Mom!

Olde Church Christmas Tree Farm

Powhatan

Grab a saw and set out on your quest for the perfect tree at this family-owned and operated farm. For decades, Olde Church Christmas Tree Farm has been helping families in Richmond and the surrounding areas select the perfect Christmas tree. Choose from White Pines, Norway Spruce, or Scotch Pines, then be sure to select one of their beautiful handcrafted wreaths to finish off your holiday décor. While you’re there, take time to enjoy the scenery, which includes beautiful farmlands and a 20-acre lake.

Why we love them: Perhaps you haven’t noticed, but Christmas trees can be expensive. (Especially when you’re like me and have to buy a second one after forgetting to water the first.) But at Olde Church Christmas Tree Farm, not only will you get the freshest tree possible (I mean, you will have cut it down yourself after all), but you’ll get incredible value, as well. All of their trees, with the exception of Frasier Firs that they bring in fresh-cut from North Carolina, are $50 – big ones, small ones, and everything in between. And with handmade wreaths at $20 each, you can get a tree and wreath for less than what you often find at local tree lots. Plus, they provide outstanding service. Not only do they provide saws for you to use, but should the process not go quite according to plan, they’ll help you get the tree in, shake it down (just to make sure it’s extra clean), wrap it in netting and twine, and help you get it on your car. All at no extra charge.

Payments accepted: Cash or checks only

2017 Schedule: Saturdays and Sundays, November 25 until December 17; 9am – 4:30pm

Contact:
2204 Old Church Road
Powhatan, VA 23139
(804) 372-9055
www.oldechurchtreefarm.com

Zuni Tree and Alpaca Farm

Isle of Wight

Chances are, alpacas aren’t the first thing you think of when you think of Christmas. But after a visit to the Zuni Tree and Alpaca Farm, you just might decide to make them part of your holiday tradition! This unique farm located near Smithfield, Virginia, is about an hour and a half outside of Richmond. So while it might be a bit more of a drive than some of other choices, it’s worth every minute. On the farm, in addition to more than a dozen friendly, furry alpacas, you’ll find a wide selection of cut-your-own trees with varieties that include Eastern White Pine, Virginia Pine, Norway Spruce, Eastern Red Cedar, Carolina Sapphire Cypress, Murray Cypress, and Silver Dust Cypress. If you’re not sure which tree is best for you, just ask. The friendly folks at Zuni Tree and Alpaca Farm are happy to help in any way they can. And that includes offering saws, carts to transport your tree, twine, shaking, and wrapping all at no extra charge.

Why we love them: Why do we love them? Alpacas, obviously! With Christmas tree lots on nearly every street corner from now until Christmas, finding a tree is not the hard part. At Zuni Tree and Alpaca Farm, not only will you find a tree that you can choose and cut yourself, but you’ll get a one-of-a-kind experience along with it. And with a Christmas Gift Shop filled with bows, cones, fresh-made wreaths, and plenty of products made from their own Alpaca wool, you can find unique gifts and souvenirs all at the same time. For a fun family outing that you won’t soon forget, head to Zuni Tree and Alpaca Farm. After all, nothing says “Christmas” quite like an alpaca!

2017 Schedule:
Friday, November 24; 9am – 5pm
All other Saturdays and Sunday from 9am – 5pm; Mondays and Fridays from 12pm – 5pm

Payments accepted: call to confirm payment types

Contact:
19362 Tomlin Hill Drive
Zuni, VA 23898
(757) 242-4780
[email protected]
www.zunitreealpacafarm.com

LaRon Christmas Tree Farm

Powhatan

For the last 20 years, Ron and Lorraine Hoke have been growing their own Christmas trees and opening their family farm to the public. And not only do the Hokes welcome visitors, but they make them feel at home. With a wide selection of tree varieties, including White Pine, Canaan Fir, Douglas Fir, Nordman Fir, and Arizona Blue Ice Cypress, LaRon Christmas Tree Farm makes it easy to find the perfect tree to complete your holiday season—and best of all, every tree is $50, no matter how big or small. Plus, they make the process easy (and fun!) with hand saws, a “tree sled,” gloves and twine, as well as complimentary tree shaking and netting.

Why we love them: LaRon Christmas Tree Farm makes finding a Christmas tree something that the whole family can enjoy. Not only do you get to pick and cut your own tree, but once you come back in from the fields, you can stick around for free marshmallows roasted over a warm fire, hot cider and hot chocolate. And with a Christmas gift shop featuring handmade wreaths, tree stands, tree bags, gifts, and ornaments, you can find unique and meaningful souvenirs to commemorate your day. It’s only fair to mention that Ron and Lorraine will be retiring after the end of this season, so this is your last chance to take part in their 20-year long Christmas tradition. Don’t pass up your chance to be part of the fun!

2017 Schedule: Saturdays and Sundays, November 25 until December 10; 9am – 5pm

Payments accepted: Cash or check only

Contact:
3310 Pleasants Rd
Powhatan, VA 23139
Phone: 804-598-7701
[email protected]

Claybrooke Farm

Mineral

With more than 20 acres of Christmas trees available, you’ll always find the perfect tree at Claybrooke Farm. Now, if you’re like me, you might think that once you’ve seen one Christmas tree, you’ve seem them all. But Claybrooke Farm understands the difference and importance of selecting the right tree. That’s why they offer a “sampling area” where you can see the different types of tree they grow and learn about the unique characteristics of each before you cut your own. Their tree varieties include Canaan Fir, Nordman Fir, Concolor Fir, and White Pine, all available to cut yourself with prices that range from $49 to $79 depending on the variety and size. Or you can choose a pre-cut Frasier Fir (prices range up to $149). Once you’ve found your tree, they’ll shake it, wrap, and help you load at no extra charge.

Why we love them: It’s one thing to grow Christmas trees. It’s another thing altogether to do it with passion. At Claybrooke Farm, you’ll immediately feel the love that the Carroll family puts into everything they do. From their beautiful farmland, which has been farmed in the most environmentally-friendly and sustainable ways possible, to the Christmas shop filled with holiday ornaments, trees stands, gifts and décor, their farm is a place where you’ll feel welcome from start to finish. Stroll the grounds, enjoy a complimentary wagon ride to the fields, or just sit an enjoy the fresh, winter air. Chances are, you’ll want to make Claybrooke Farm part of your holiday tradition for years to come.

2017 Schedule:
Friday and Saturday, November 24-25; 10am – 5pm
Saturday, December 2 and December 9; 10am – 5pm

Payments accepted: Cash, check, and credit card

Contact:
913 Elk Creed Road
Mineral, VA 23117
(540) 872-3817
Send an email
www.claybrookefarm.com

Hope Tree Farm

Cartersville

Located an hour or so outside of Richmond, Hope Tree Farm is well worth the drive. Not only is the setting picturesque, but the whole experience will put you in the holiday spirit. Head out with a saw in hand (provided at the farm), pick your tree, bring it in, then they’ll shake it down, wrap it, and help you get it on your car with a smile and plenty of holiday cheer. They don’t have as many tree varieties as some other places, but their prices are unbeatable. Their eco-friendly Virginia Pines or White Pines are $35 each. Or if sawing isn’t your thing, you can choose from a limited selection of pre-cut Frasier Firs starting at $45.

Why we love them: At Hope Tree Farm, you get more than a tree—you get a full holiday experience. Sip on free hot chocolate or cider, stroll the beautiful farm grounds, or browse through the farm’s quaint Christmas shop for gifts, décor, or their signature handcrafted ornaments made with cuttings from their own trees. Hope Tree Farm is the kind of place that you want to keep coming back to year after year – not just for the trees, but for the holiday cheer that lasts long after your visit is over.

2017 Schedule:
Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, November 24 until December 18; 9am -5pm

Special events:
December 3: 10% of all proceeds will go to Cumberland County Christmas Mother
December 9-10: Make your own Christmas ornament
December 16: Uncle Clarence’s Cast Iron Brunswick Stew Sale

Payments accepted: Cash, check, and credit cards

Contact:
2016 Cartersville Road
Cartersville, VA 23027-9706
(804) 375-3567
[email protected]
www.facebook.com/HopeTreeFarmVA