Holiday Guide: Cut Your Own Christmas Tree Farms

Most American households, 48 percent, erect artificial trees during the Christmas holiday, according to Christmas Tree Facts from the University of Illinois Extension. But for the 21 percent who prefer a real tree, there’s nothing better than taking a drive to Christmas tree farm to cut down the perfect tree.

For those who aren’t convinced that real is better, consider the environmental benefits. Artificial trees will last for six years in your home, but for centuries in a landfill, according to Christmas Tree Facts from the University of Illinois Extension.

 “Many people still perceive cutting trees down as bad for the environment and that is not the case. Real Christmas Trees no longer come from the forest. They are grown on farms throughout  North America,” said Mel Koelling, forestry professor at Michigan State University,  East Lansing, Michigan, in an article on the Illinois Christmas Tree Association website.

Real trees are renewable and recyclable, and buying from an area farm helps keep that farmer in business.

Fresh cut trees area available in a variety of prices, depending on the farm, the variety and the size. It’s best to call the farm for details on prices.

Following are some farms nearby:

Family Christmas Tree Farm

Illinois 59 & Petite Lake Road, Lake Villa

847-949-0172

Open        Monday through Friday, 1 to 4 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., through Christmas. Choose from Scotch and White Pine. This farm also has a gift shop in a restored 1873 dairy barn, wreaths, garlands, sleigh rides and refreshments.

Gengel Christmas Tree Farm

38614 N. Fairfield Road, Lake Villa

847- 356-5661

Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m, Saturday and Sunday, to Dec. 18. Varieties are Scotch Pine, White Pine and Douglas Fir. There are also wreaths and roping available, as well as homemade cookies.

Star Christmas Tree Farm

24974 West Miller Road in Barrington

847.438.4518 

This is the last year for the Star Christmas Tree Farm as the farm is being converted to an apiary for bees and local honey. The Christmas tree farm is self serve and offers East Anglia and French Blue Scotch Pines. Trees are $5 per foot. All profits will be donated to the Alpine Chapel Benevolence fund. 

Ziegler Christmas Tree Farm

42W109 McDonald Rd., Elgin

847-464-5776

Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Dec. 4. The farm may be open until Dec. 10, if they don’t sell out. They offer a wide variety of trees including Balsam Fir, Conoclor Fir, White Pine, White Spruce and Black Hills Spruce. The farm also has wreaths, garlands and a gift shop.

Richardson Christmas Trees

9407 Richardson Road, Spring Grove

815- 675-9729

Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., daily through De. 23. Varieties include Scotch Pine, White Pine, Spruce, Douglas Fir, Fraser Fir and Concolor Fir. Farm visits include free wagon rides to trees, free hot chocolate and coffee. There is also a gift shop with decorations, roping and greens.

Pioneer Tree Farm

4614 Pioneer Road, McHenry

815-385-8512

Farm offers pesticide free trees and is open weekends through Dec. 4, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Varieties include Scotch Pine, White Pine, Red Pine as well as various Spruces..

Ben’s Tree Farm

7720 Ryan Road, Harvard

630-279-0216

Trees are organically grown without the use of pesticides. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 19; 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Fridays through Dec. 17. Thousands of trees in 12 Varieties, including Fraser Fir, Balsam Fir, Canaan Fir, Concolor Fir, Nordman Fir, Blue Spruce, White Spruce, Norway Spruce, Engelman Spruce, Scotch Pine, White Pine, and Red Pine. Also has gift shop, wreaths and decorations. Many extras such as horse-drawn wagon rides, farm animals, warming barn and Santa Claus.

Pine-Apple Farm
309 Three Oaks Road, Cary

847-639-3248

Open weekends, 9 a.m. to dusk through Dec. 19. Has Scotch Pine and Douglas Fir for cutting and pre-cut spruce trees.

Pine Apple Acres
41 W 651 Powers Road, Huntley

847-669-3251

Christmas tree cutting will be available daily (except for Mondays) from 10 a.m. until dusk/4 p.m. and will continue through Dec. 19. An appointment must be made for those wishing to cut a tree after Dec. 19. Has Blue, White and Norway Spruce trees and Concolor, Douglas and Fraser firs.

Oney's Tree Farm and Nursery
16608 Rte. 14, Woodstock

815-338-4108

Offers fresh cut-your-own trees including firs, spruces and pines; wreaths, natural decorating items, horse-drawn wagon rides on weekends, wreath decorating and Mrs. Claus in her North Pole House. Open daily 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., through Dec. 11.

Take our poll and let us know if you will be putting up a real or fake Christmas tree this year in your home.