Where To Cut Or Buy Your Own Fresh Christmas Tree Near Manhattan

MANHATTAN, IL — It’s still early, but if you’re planning to put up a live Christmas tree this year, it’s a good idea to scope out what will be available from Manhattan area tree growers and seasonal lots.

Here are a few places to start:

Choose-and-cut:

• Abbey Farms, 2855 Hart Road, Aurora
  • Open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Book online for reservations for u-cut.
  • (630)966-7775
• Larson's Family Farm, 4404 Somonauk Road, Sandwich
  • Closed Mondays, open 2 to 4 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends.
  • Cash or check only.
  • Last cutting day: Dec. 2
  • (815)786-2249
• Lee's Trees 2, 45W002 Lees Road, Lily Lake
  • Open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 24, then Saturdays and Sundays
  • Pre-cut trees also available
  • (630)365-2116
  • Last cutting day: Dec. 10
• Pine-Apple Farm, 309 Three Oaks Rd, Cary
  • Opens for season Nov. 24.
  • Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 24–Nov. 26, then 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Dec. 2 and Dec. 3.
  • (847)639-3248
• Anderson Tree Farm, 508. Rt 126, Plainfield
  • (815)436-2140

Seasonal lot:

• Crosswind Farms, 14435 West Manhattan-Monee Rd., Manhattan
  • Open Nov. 22 from 4 to 7 p.m., then open Nov. 24–26, from 10 to 7 p.m. Weekdays 12 to 7 p.m.; weekends 10 to 7 p.m. while supplies last.
  • (708)567-9090
• Kringle's Tree Factory, 2085 South Spencer Rd., New Lenox
  • Opens for season Nov. 24.
  • (708)606-4462
• Alsip Home and Nursery, 20601 South La Grange Road, Frankfort
  • Weekdays 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Weekends 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • (815) 469-1044
• Gorman Tree Farm, 6607 W. Bruns Road, Monee
  • Opens for season Nov. 24.
  • Open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
  • (708)534-2375
• Sandhill Christmas Trees, 1117 Chicago Ave., Oak Park
  • Opens for season Nov. 24.
  • Open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; closed Tuesdays.
  • (312)973-1074

Garden center:

• Graff Gardens & Farm, LLC., 7250 Southwest Highway, Worth
  • Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
  • (708)361-7805

Home improvement store:

• Lowe's, 2480 E. Lincoln Highway, New Lenox. While supplies last.
• Menards, 6851 159th St. Tinley Park. While supplies last.
• Home Depot, 7300 W. 159th St., Orland Park. While supplies last.
• Lowe's, 15601 S. LaGrange Rd., Orland Park. While supplies last.

Last year, the median price for trees purchased directly from a grower was about $93, according to PickYourOwnChristmasTree.org. About 26 million live trees were sold last year, compared to 27.4 million in 2018.

A survey by the American Christmas Tree Association, an industry trade group, shows that of the 94 percent of Americans who plan to put up a Christmas tree this year, 23 percent will display a live tree.

Last year, live tree prices increased about 10 percent, largely due to inflation and drought, according to industry experts.

Years of extreme weather — drought conditions in some parts of the country and excess moisture in others — are expected to translate to slightly higher 2023 Christmas tree prices, according to a report from Country Folks Grower, a business-to-business publication serving fresh market and ornamental crops.

"A lot can happen in a half dozen years that can change the outlook for a Christmas tree crop from one season to the next," the report said. "Farmers will be facing challenges in the 2023 Christmas tree season brought about by developments over the past several years."

At any given moment, about 350 million Christmas trees are growing on tree farms across the country.

It typically takes a tree between six and eight years to grow to the desirable height for decorating. Large trees — those 7 feet and taller — may be in short supply because sales of smaller trees have been strong in recent years, the report said. Also, people may need to settle for a different species than they’re accustomed to buying.