Here's Where To Buy Your Own Fresh Christmas Tree In Dunedin

DUNEDIN, FL — People in the Dunedin area who prefer fresh-cut Christmas trees shouldn’t have any trouble finding them in 2022, according to a survey of Christmas tree growers by an industry trade group.

The prediction by the Real Christmas Tree Board comes after a survey of 55 wholesalers that supply two-thirds of the market for fresh trees and 1,500 U.S. adults ages 21-49.

“The real Christmas tree industry met demand last year, and it will meet demand this year,” Marsha Gray, executive director of the Real Christmas Tree Board, said in a news release. “This is essentially a year without surprises.”

Families that love exploring Christmas tree farms in search of the perfect tree and then cutting it down themselves don't have many options in Florida.

The most popular Christmas trees for cutting and decorating for the holidays simply don't grow in Florida's humid environment and inhospitable soil, including the Fraser fir, the Douglas fir, the balsam fir, Scotch pine and blue spruce.

Most of these trees are grown in the five top Christmas tree-producing states — Oregon, North Carolina, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

However, it's not impossible to start a family tradition and cut your own tree in Florida.

According to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, there are 16 tree farms in Florida where families can cut their own Christmas trees, and three of them are located in nearby Pasco County.

In Florida, red cedar, Virginia pine, sand pine, spruce pine and Leyland cypress can be grown specifically for use as Christmas trees. But it's a lot of work for the growers, which is why farms are so few and far between.

Each year, the young trees must be shaped or pruned to encourage the tree to branch more quickly and gradually achieve the full, bushy appearance people prefer in their Christmas trees. It takes three to six years to grow a well-shaped tree that is 6 to 8 feet tall.

Here are the closest Christmas tree farms to Dunedin:

Blue Acres Christmas Tree Farm, 20638 Moreland Drive, Spring Hill, has choose-and-cut sand pines and red cedars, along with fresh-cut Fraser firs, potted Carolina sapphire trees and handmade wreaths. It is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The family-owned farm also sells local raw honey in quantities of 12 ounces to 12 pounds, seasoned firewood by the trunk load with up to 50 pieces for $20, and offers swings and corn hole for the kids.

Those with a military, law enforcement or first responders ID will receive $5 off any tree.

Santa and his elf will be at the farm on Dec. 3 and 4 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., so be sure to bring your camera for this free event. Email blueacreschristmastrees@gmail.com or call 352-422-6375.

Ergle Christmas Tree Farm, 3325 Trieman Blvd., Dade City, is open every day from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. throughout the holiday season.

The 25-acre Ergle Christmas Tree Farm was founded by Omar Ergle, an agriculture teacher in Dade City, in the 1970s and is now run by his daughter and son-in-law, Debbie and Tom Harris

The Harris family grows long-needle pine and Southern cedar trees that families can cut themselves. But for those who prefer a more traditional variety, the Harrises import Fraser firs and bal fra firs (a hybrid balsam and Fraser fir) from the North.

Lazy Lay Acres Christmas Tree Farm at 14920 Swift Road, Dade City, which is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., allows families to cut down their own sand pines and red cedars. In addition, the farm ships Fraser firs from North Carolina.

Click here for other cut-your-own Christmas tree farms in Florida.

Click here for other cut-your-own Christmas tree farms in Florida.

Whatever cut variety of Christmas tree you choose, the Florida Department of Agriculture said to make sure it's fresh. The needles should be resilient. The tree should have a good fragrance and good green color.

Christmas Tree Lots

Seasonal Christmas tree lots, some of which support nonprofit groups, churches and schools, can be found throughout Pinellas County.

Among them, Northstar Wisconsin Christmas Trees has been serving families in the Clearwater area for more than 30 years. Located at 2906 Gulf-To-Bay Blvd., between McDonald's and Robert's Christmas Store, Northstar opened on Thanksgiving Day and will remain open through the holiday season from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

The Salzman family has been making the 1,400-mile journey from their farm in Fall River, Wisconsin, to Clearwater to sell live Christmas trees every year since 1982. The holiday season in the Clearwater area doesn't officially begin until the Salzmans erect their big, white tent on Gulf-To-Bay Boulevard.

In addition to offering their fresh-cut Wisconsin Fraser firs and North Carolina Fraser firs from tabletop trees to 15 feet tall, the Salzmans offer tree delivery and set-up, tree stands, fresh handmade wreaths, garland, porch pots, swags as well as a favorite mainstay — fresh apple cider from Wisconsin.

Sunkissed Christmas Trees has sold Christmas trees in the area for 36 years and for the fifth year will operate a tree lot at Frankie's Raw Bar, 4903 State Road 54 in Port Richey, and a second lot at 2850 Alternate U.S. 19 in Dunedin next to T's Produce & Market.

Kathy "The Wreath Lady" is also available at Sunkissed Christmas Trees to provide custom wreaths, door hangers, table arrangements and more. She can be reached at 727-455-5965.

Gallaghers Pumpkins and Christmas Trees at 7401 4th St. N, St. Petersburg, is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. With its refurbished antique pickup truck and lot decorated with an assortment of poinsettias and other seasonal flowers, wreaths and garland, it also makes a great backdrop for family holiday photos.

Tree Brothers Christmas is located at 18105 Gunn Highway, Odessa, at Keystone Prep High School, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and at the Oldsmar Flea Market, 180 N Racetrack Road, Oldsmar.

Great Lakes Christmas Tree Farms is a retail and wholesale distribution center at 5302 E Diana St. in Tampa that has been providing Tampa residents with their live Christmas trees for more than 30 years including Black Hills spruce, North Carolina Fraser fir, Michigan blue spruce, Oregon Douglas fir, Michigan white pine, Canada Balsam fire

They provide the trees for some of the city's major tree-lighting events including a 120-foot Christmas tree that had to be lifted with a crane.

In addition to their lot on Diana Street, the Sansone family sells their trees at the Tampa Bay Farmers Market, 10001 N Armenia Ave. Tampa. They also offer a variety of handmade wreaths, garland and some of the largest, most vibrant potted poinsettias around. They're open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Green Mountain Christmas Trees is located at 9715 N 56th St., Temple Terrace. The family-owned tree lot has been serving the area for 21 years, providing blue spruce, Douglas fir, Fraser fir, Noble fir, Black Hills spruce and white pine from table-top size to 11 feet tall. Green Mountain also offers fresh poinsettias and handmade wreaths and centerpieces. It is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

Organic Farmers Market of Forest Hills at 1207 W. Fletcher Ave., Tampa, offers fresh-cut Fraser firs, Douglas firs, Noble firs and Black Hills spruce trees. Call 813-944-8654 for tree lot hours.
Gallio Family Christmas Trees is located at 4518 S Manhattan Ave., Tampa. The Gallio family has been selling Christmas trees in Tampa for more than 20 years. They also offer delivery and set-up, tree stands, fresh wreaths and handmade misfit reindeer.

Live trees are also available for purchase at Lowe's Home Improvement Center, Home Depot, Walmart and even some grocery stores. Click here to find the nearest location.

Potted Trees

Northstar Wisconsin Christmas Trees, Ergle Christmas Tree Farm and other tree sellers are also offering an increasingly popular Christmas tree option: live, potted Christmas trees.

If they follow the growing instructions and re-pot their tree as it grows, families can continue to decorate them year after year.

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is a big fan of live Christmas trees. Northern varieties can be transplanted to progressively larger pots as they grow while living trees suited for Florida like red cedar, Arizona cypress, Leyland cypress, Torulosa juniper, sand pine, and, in South Florida, Norfolk Island pine, can be planted in your yard after Christmas by following this advice from the UF/IFAS.

Home improvement stores, including Lowe's and Home Depot, are now offering potted Christmas trees along with the popular varieties of cut trees imported from the North.

Real Trees May Be Pricier

Trees, like everything else, may cost a little more this year. Tree growers answering the Real Christmas Tree Board’s survey said growing costs have increased. About 36 percent of respondents said costs were up 11 percent to 15 percent compared to last year, while 27 percent said costs increased 16 to 20 percent. Another 10 percent said the year-over-year increase in production costs was more than 21 percent.

As a result, 71 percent of growers said they would likely increase wholesale prices. That means trees could cost anywhere from 5 percent to 20 percent or more.

Consumers seem to be taking the expected price hikes in stride.

“While our grower survey tells us wholesale prices are likely to be higher for real Christmas trees this year, our consumer survey tells us people expected as much,” Gray said in the news release.

“The good news is fans of real Christmas trees say they believe the trees are worth the price, and they are willing to pay more this year if necessary to get one — and that’s not a surprise either.”

Growers’ expectations of a healthy season are also tempered by fears of supply chain disruptions, the No. 1 concern of 44 percent of growers. About 35 percent said their top concern is that inflation-strapped consumers will cut real Christmas trees from their lists this year. About 21 percent of respondents cited labor availability concerns.

The Origin Of Christmas Trees

The origin of the Christmas tree can be traced to long before the advent of Christianity, according to History.com.

In ancient times, it was commonly believed the sun was a god. It appeared to be sick as daylight waned in the winter, but evergreens thriving during winter were a reminder that the sun would become strong again and lush greenery and warmth would return.

Evergreen trees were seen as a symbol of eternal life among ancient Egyptians, Hebrews and Chinese. Pagans throughout Europe used evergreens in their homes to represent fertility and new life.

Christmas trees were first used by devout Christians in Germany. The 16th-century Protestant reformer Martin Luther is believed to have added lighted candles to trees. He was composing a sermon as he walked home on a winter evening and was struck by the sight of stars twinkling above the evergreens, and recreated the scene in a tree in his family’s main room.