Choose-and-cut Christmas tree farm checklist: what to bring and how it works

Before you go

• Check dates and hours. Many farms open around Thanksgiving weekend and close once the best trees are gone. Our listings come from public directories that can be out of date, so confirm on the farm's own site or by phone.
• Check payment. Some smaller farms are cash only or cash preferred. Bring some cash even if you plan to use a card.
• Measure. Ceiling height, floor space and your stand's trunk opening. See how to measure.
• Ask about pets. Policies vary. Some farms welcome leashed dogs and some do not allow them.
• Look at the weather. Fields can be muddy or snowy. Weekday mornings are usually quieter than weekend afternoons.

What to bring

• Tape measure to check height in the field.
• Work gloves. Sap is sticky and spruce needles are sharp. Leather work gloves are a good all-round pick.
• A saw, if the farm does not lend them. Many farms provide bow saws. If yours does not, a 21 inch bow saw is the usual tool.
• Rope or straps. Ratchet straps or sturdy rope. Thin twine is not enough for highway speed.
• An old blanket or tarp to protect your car roof and seats from sap and needles.
• Warm layers, boots and a hat. You may walk a long way between rows.
• Water and snacks for kids, and a phone charger for photos.

How a visit usually works

Every farm runs things a little differently, but a typical visit looks like this:

1. Park and check in. Some farms hand you a saw, a map of which fields are open and a tag or price list.
2. Walk or ride a hay wagon out to the fields. Fields are often grouped by species and size.
3. Pick your tree. Walk all the way around it, check the trunk is fairly straight and that it suits your measurements. Look up: a tall tree in an open field is easy to misjudge.
4. Cut it, or ask staff to. Cut low and straight across, a few inches above the ground. One person holds the tree and pulls it gently away from the cut so the saw does not bind. Some farms cut for you.
5. Bring it back. Many farms will shake out loose needles and wrap the tree in netting for the ride home, sometimes for a small fee.
6. Pay and load up. Staff often help tie the tree on.

Getting it home safely

A netted tree is much easier to carry and tie down. AAA and other safety groups give similar advice for car roofs:

• Use a roof rack if you have one, with a blanket underneath.
• Put the trunk facing the front of the car.
• Strap it down at the bottom, middle and top, and tug on it from every direction before you drive.
• If you have no rack, ask the farm for advice, or use a truck or a delivery option if they offer one.
• Drive slower than usual, avoid highways where you can and check the straps if you stop.

Once you are home

Get the tree into water soon. If it sat for a while, make a fresh cut at the base first. Our guide to keeping a cut tree fresh covers water, placement and safety. A tree stand that holds plenty of water makes the whole season easier.

U-Pick Near lists farms but does not test or recommend specific products. The links above are Amazon searches so you can compare options yourself.

Sources

• National Christmas Tree Association
• AAA: tips for transporting a Christmas tree

General guidance, not advice for a specific farm. Farm rules, prices and dates vary, so check with the farm.