Where To Cut Down Your Own Christmas Tree 2022: Virginia Tree Farms

VIRGINIA — Families in Northern Virginia who want to cut down their own Christmas tree have plenty of options to choose from. Many farms allow kids of all ages to chat with Santa Claus. Others feature petting zoos, hayrides, face painting exhibits and seasonal treats.

If you're looking to pick out your tree in another area, there are plenty of options statewide. The Virginia Christmas Tree Growers Association, an association of growers and retailers, has about 100 members.

Some tips before you go: Bring your own saw. While some farms will loan or rent tools, there's nothing worse than showing up with your kids and not having a saw or ax to cut down your tree. Also, bring cash. Many farms will not accept or are unable to process debit/credit cards.

Due to the nationwide Christmas tree shortage and high gas prices, we advise calling ahead. Some farms may close early for the season once supplies run out.

Below are some of the Christmas tree farms in Northern Virginia.

Fredericksburg – Snead's Farm Christmas Trees is abundant with many seasonal fruits and vegetables, plus the cut-your-own Christmas tree portion of the farm in winter! Feel free to pet and feed the animals on this working farm.

Milford – Whispering Pines Nursery offers find-and-cut-your-own Fraser Fir, White Pine, and Douglas Fir Christmas trees between the Friday after Thanksgiving and December 22.

Nokesville – What better place to find your Christmas tree this year than Evergreen Acres? Choose from White Pine, Scotch Pine, and Norway Spruce. Enjoy hot cider and wagon rides for free.
Woodford – While Willow Oaks Farm is known best for the 900 varieties of daylilies they they raise, the holiday season yields beautiful White Pine, Spruce and Scotch Pine Christmas trees, too. Don't miss the special Christmas gift shop on site.

Loudoun County has numerous tree farms. The Country Loving Christmas Tree Farm in Leesburg opens on black Friday and has White Pine, Scotch Pine, and Norway Spruce. Enjoy hot cider and picnic areas. The Middleburg Christmas Tree Farm has Blue Spruce, Douglas Fir and Norway Spruce. Bring your pet to help pick out your tree. Milltown Creek Farms in Lovettsville has choose-and-cut from 100 acres of Blue, White and Norway Spruce; Douglas and Concolor Fir; Scotch, White and Southern White Pine. Snickers Gap Tree Farm in Round Hill has Douglas Fir, Colorado Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce as well as Wreaths made at the farm from our own greens, and panoramic views of the Loudoun Valley. Blue Ridge Tree and Berry Farm also in Lovettsvile has the varities of Canaan Fir, Concolor Fir, Norway Spruce, Blue Spruce, and Scotch Pine. Ticonderoga Farms Tree Farm beautiful fresh wreaths, holly greens & sprays, white pine garlands, and an incredible assortment of gorgeous fresh trees.

And here are more suggestions from Northern Virginia magazine:

Cox Farms in Centreville Opens Friday, Nov. 25 — At Cox Farms, you’ll find a massive selection of pre-cut Christmas trees, as well as a holiday market featuring wreaths, bows, garlands, mistletoe, and decorations. Only pre-cut trees will be available for purchase. All trees will be inspected, trimmed, shaken, and baled by staff before you arrive. 15621 Braddock Rd., Centreville

Krop's Crops in Great Falls — Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. This year, a selection of pre-cut firs ranging from 5 to 14 feet tall, will be available for purchase. While you wait for staff to trim and load your tree for you, take a look at their selection of poinsettias, wreaths, holiday decorations, and firewood. 11110 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls

Burnside Farms — Opens Friday, November 25 If cutting down your own tree is not feasible, Burnside Farms has the answer: Pre-cut, Virginia-grown trees are delivered weekly and range in size. Tree stands, fresh wreaths, and garlands will also be available for purchase. 4905 James Madison Hwy., Haymarket

Almost Heavenly Christmas Trees in Alexandria — Opens at North Ridge from December 2-4 and December 9-11; Open at National Landing December 3 & 4. Staff will be on-site to help spot the perfect choice for your home. Online ordering and pre-payment is also available. North Ridge: 2911 Cameron Mills Rd., Alexandria; National Landing address TBA

Greenstreet Gardens of Virginia — Opening date TBA. While scouting out their perfect tree, guests can also visit a gift shop and garden center. 1721 W. Braddock Rd., Alexandria

Did we miss any? Tell us in the comments or email deb.belt@patch.com.

Here is a map of Christmas tree farms, courtesy of the National Christmas Tree Association; you can filter results by options like choose and cut tree farms, pre-cut trees, gift shops, hayrides and more.

The primary species of Christmas trees grown in Maryland are scotch pine, white pine, blue spruce, douglas fir and fraser fir.

The National Christmas Tree Association has several recommendations for finding the right tree, starting with measuring your space.

Before You Go:
Measure your ceiling height. You don't want a tree that's too tall or wide. That means you need to know what size tree to get before you get to the lot. A 10-foot-tall tree will typically be about 8 feet wide at the bottom.

Ask about the price and payment methods before you get there so you're not in for an unwelcome surprise when it's time to pay. Pricing will vary from farm to farm. Some tree farms measure and price their trees individually, and others have a set price.

Other tips to consider, from the National Christmas Tree Association:

• Test the branches and needles for freshness. Run a branch through your enclosed hand. If the needles come off easily, avoid. Bend the outer branches, and if they're not pliable, move along. On the other hand, if branches snap easily, the tree is probably too dry.
• Look for other indicators of dryness or deterioration: excessive needle loss, discoloration, musty smell, needle pliability or wrinkled bark.
• Trust your gut.

Before buying a live tree you need to check how fresh the tree is, and be prepared to keep it water so it doesn't dry out and pose a fire hazard.

Want some advice on picking out the right tree? Click here for on what to look for in a Christmas tree.

How To Care For Your Live Christmas Tree

Picking the Tree

• Choose a tree with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched.

Placing the Tree

• Before placing the tree in the stand, cut 2 inches from the base of the trunk.
• Make sure the tree is at least 3 feet away from any heat source, like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights.
• Make sure the tree does not block an exit.
• Be sure to add water to the tree stand daily.

Lighting The Tree

• Use lights that have the label of a recognized testing laboratory. Some lights are only to be used indoors, while others are only to be used outdoors. So choose the right lights for the location.
• Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords, loose bulb connections. Read manufacturer's instructions for the maximum number of light strands to connect.
• Never use candles to decorate the tree.
• Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed. This applies to both artificial and live Christmas trees.

Watering The Tree

• Ask questions about the trees. Ask the retailer when he/she gets the trees: are they delivered once at the beginning of the season, or several shipments during the season? Often, a tree obtained soon after its arrival on the retail lot will be very fresh because it was recently cut.
• Do a branch/needle test for freshness. Run a branch through your enclosed hand - the needles should not come off easily. Bend the outer branches - they should be pliable. If they are brittle and snap easily, the tree is too dry.
• Look for other indicators of dryness or deterioration. Indicators might include: excessive needle loss, discolored foliage, musty odor, needle pliability, and wrinkled bark. If none of the trees on the lot look fresh, go to another lot.

• Displaying trees in water in a traditional reservoir type stand is the most efficient way of maintaining freshness and minimizing needle loss problems.
• To display the trees indoors, use a stand with an adequate water holding capacity for the tree. As a general rule, stands should provide 1 quart of water per inch of stem diameter. Devices are available that help maintain a constant water level in the stand.
• Use a stand that fits your tree. Avoid whittling the sides of the trunk down to fit a stand. The outer layers of wood are the most efficient in taking up water and should not be removed.
• Make a fresh cut to remove about a half-inch thick disk of wood from the base of the trunk before putting the tree in the stand. Make the cut perpendicular to the stem axis. Drilling a hole in the base of the trunk does not improve water uptake. Once home, place the tree in water as soon as possible. Most species can go 6 to 8 hours after cutting the trunk and still take up water.

After Christmas

Although Christmas tree fires are not common, when they do occur, they are usually very serious. Get rid of your tree after Christmas or when it is dry. Dried-out trees are a fire danger and should not be left in the home or garage, or placed outside against the home. Check with your local community to find a recycling program.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission conducted a live Christmas tree burn to demonstrate how quickly Christmas tree fires ignite when needles become brittle do to under-watering.

Trees can become fully engulfed in a matter of seconds, then ignite everything in the path of the flames. In comparison, an electrical fire sparked for the demonstration on a well-watered tree didn't spread at all.