Where To Buy Real Christmas Trees In St. Petersburg

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Florida might not have snowy Christmases, but what it does have is Christmas tree farms and lots where you can buy real trees to help get you into the holiday spirit after the crazy year 2020 has been.

According to the Florida Christmas Tree Association, 30 million real trees are used for Christmas annually. In Florida, red cedar, Virginia pine, sand pine, spruce pine, Arizona cypress and leyland cypress are grown specifically for use as Christmas trees.

The Christmas tree tradition originated in Germany by devout Christians who brought trees into their home and decorated them with evergreens and candles during the 16th century, History reported.

During the 1830s, the first Christmas tree on record in the U.S. was at a Pennsylvania home where German settlers lived. At first, the trees were not accepted by Americans, and were considered pagan. Americans started warming up to the idea of Christmas tree decorating in the 1890s after influences from additional cultures. Fast-forward to the 21st century, and there are 25 to 30 million real Christmas trees sold in the U.S. every year, reported the National Christmas Tree Association.

Below is a list of Christmas tree lots in and near St. Petersburg:

Gallagher's Pumpkins & Christmas Trees:

Address: 7401 4th St N, St. Petersburg

Hours of operation: Open daily; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (call for holiday hours)

Phone: (727) 519-3732

An Old Time Christmas

Address: 301 37th Avenue North

Hours of operation: Mon. through Thurs., 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Fri and Sat: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sun. 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Phone: (727) 333-1556 (call for holiday hours)

Big Jim's Wisconsin Christmas Trees

Address: 2905 Gulf to Bay Blvd, Clearwater

Hours of operation: Open Thanksgiving Day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Mon through Fri, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sun. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Phone: (920) 344-0022