Christmas wouldn’t be complete without a Christmas tree. For me, it doesn’t truly feel like the holidays at home until the tree is up, the ornaments are perfectly placed, and the lights are shining. Now, I’ll confess that I’ve become more of a faux fir person in recent years. However, as convenient as they are, you can’t beat the real thing, especially if you make an event out of it and cut one down yourself. Just don’t be like Buddy the Elf and harvest your own from Quarry Hill Park. Head to a Christmas tree farm near Rochester, MN, instead.
Whether you want to start a new family tradition, wish you could leave your fake tree in storage for good, or are hoping to upgrade your tree-getting experience and save the Walmart parking lot for grocery runs only, you’re in luck. There are several Rochester-area Christmas tree farms to choose from, ranging from simple affairs with just the necessities to festive destinations with all the trimmings and trappings. It all depends on the kind of experience you’re looking for and how far you want to drive. Do you want to go somewhere close so you can put up and trim the tree all in one day, or would you rather travel further and make a whole day out of finding the perfect tree? The choice is all yours.
Christmas Tree Farms Near Rochester, MN
Within 15 Miles of Rochester
Choose & Cut Fraser Firs
Fraser fir
Located on the outskirts of Rochester, this Christmas tree farm is your one-stop shop for Fraser firs. Hand saws are available for cutting, and fields are lit to allow for after-dark tree selection. Attendants are also on hand to help cut or answer questions as needed. Pricing runs from $14 per foot for trees under 10 feet to $25 per foot for taller trees. Along with tree stands, visitors can choose from festive decorations like wreaths, garlands, swags, kissing balls, log reindeer and snowmen, porch pots and more.
Address: 2230 48th Street Northeast, Rochester
Hours: 8 AM-8 PM seven days a week, from Saturday, November 23 to noon on Tuesday, December 24 (closed Thanksgiving Day)
Phone: (507) 289-8811
Wittlief Christmas Tree Farm
Balsam fir, Black Hills spruce and more
Known for budget-friendly trees, expansive fields and friendly conversation, this family-run Christmas tree farm near Rochester, MN, is just an easy drive away. Along with a forestful of cut-your-own trees, pre-cut options are also available. Loading assistance is provided, and homemade cookies, cider and hot chocolate are available at the farm stand. The Wittlief family is always willing to lend a helping hand, so feel free to call if you have any questions or need to schedule a special time to cut your tree.
Address: 3628 110th St NW, Oronoco
Hours: Noon-5 PM on Fridays and 9 AM-5 PM on weekends
Phone: (507) 367-2519
Zumbro Valley Christmas Trees
Blue spruce, white pine, Scotch pine and Fraser fir
Enveloped by rolling hills and neighboring the Zumbro River, this bucolic farm in the Rochester, MN, area is a picturesque place to pick out a Christmas tree. Saws are provided for cutting, and sleds are available to haul your selection back to your vehicle. Trees are priced at $60 for cut-your-own blue spruce and white pine, $30 for cut-your-own Scotch pine and $75 and up for pre-cut Fraser firs. During your visit, be sure to treat yourself to some hot chocolate and a candy cane or pick up a handmade craft in the farm’s shop. Meanwhile, kids will love looking at the farm’s many animals, including some goats, chickens, cats and a miniature donkey.
Address: 58588 County Road 7, Zumbro Falls
Hours: 9 AM-5 PM on Fridays & Saturdays and 11 AM-5 PM on Sundays, from Friday, November 22
Phone: (507) 601-7305
Within 35 Miles of Rochester
Enzenauer Evergreens
White pine, Scotch pine, Black Hills spruce and bracted balsam fir (Canaan fir)
Consider Enzenauer Evergreens your one-stop shop for all things Christmas. Once you arrive, an attendant will give you the lay of the land (trees that are available for cutting are pre-tagged with the variety, height and price), hand you a saw and send you on your merry way. Prices start at $ 54.95 plus tax for choose-and-cut and $8.95 per foot plus tax for pre-cut trees, based on the species chosen. After cutting down your selection and carrying it back, a staff member will shake it free of dead needles and bale it for easy transport at no additional cost. Along with twine for tying down your selection, there is also a small gift shop offering Christmas décor like tree toppers, Santas, snowmen and ornaments, as well as tree care accessories. St. Nick is even scheduled to stop by on November 30 and December 1, 7 and 8 from 11 AM to 2 PM. Best of all, it’s pet-friendly, making this a holiday outing the whole family can enjoy.
Address: 9888 420th St, Kenyon
Hours: 9 AM-5 PM on weekends, from Saturday, November 23 to Sunday, December 8, as well as Friday, November 29
Phone: (507) 824-2612
Howes Evergreens Cut-Your-Own
Fraser fir and balsam fir
Howes Evergreens in St. Charles, MN, is a family affair. Along with offering a selection of both balsam and Fraser firs, all priced at $80, this Christmas tree farm sells an array of plain and decorated wreaths handcrafted by family members. Tree baling is also available.
Address: 10000 Co Road 10, St. Charles
Hours: 10 AM-dusk on Friday, November 29 to Sunday, December 1, Saturday, December 7 to Sunday, December 8, and Saturday, December 14 to Sunday, December 15
Phone: (507) 450-2353
Within 60 Miles of Rochester
Hampton Hills Tree Farm
Fraser fir, balsam fir, white pine, Scotch pine and Norway pine
For a Christmas tree-cutting adventure and festive day trip all in one, make a visit to Hampton Hills. This 140-acre farm features a wide selection of evergreens priced between $69.95 and $89.95 each, depending on variety. (Get $3 off by showing this coupon!) Saws are provided for cutting, while tree shaking and twine are offered free of charge. Trees can be baled for $1.95. Other items available for purchase include spruce tops, garlands, wreaths, and tree stands and bags. While Christmas trees are obviously the highlight of Hampton Hills, visitors can also enjoy fun and festive activities on select weekends (November 29-December 1 and December 7-8). In addition to cozy carnival fare and warm drinks like hot chocolate, apple cider and coffee, visitors can embark on free horse-drawn wagon rides and visit with Santa Claus. Children will also receive complimentary candy canes and coloring books. Bring your furry family member, too! Leashed dogs are always welcome.
Address: 998 310th St Way, Cannon Falls
Hours: 9 AM-4:15 PM seven days a week, from Saturday, November 23 to 2 PM on Monday, December 23 (closed Thanksgiving Day)
Phone: (763) 753-4595
How to Make Your Real Christmas Tree a Success
Although they might smell better and look better (most of the time) than fake Christmas trees, the real thing requires a bit of finesse to keep looking holiday-ready. Since the process can seem daunting for first-timers (definitely not the vibe during the yuletide season), here are some helpful hints to make sure your locally grown Christmas tree looks its festive best.
Tips for Picking Out a Real Christmas Tree
Choose the Type of Tree Carefully
Before you choose the Christmas tree of your dreams, you’ll first need to decide which species is the best fit for your needs. Each comes with its own pros and cons, whether you’re looking for something that is wallet-friendly, can hold heavier ornaments or is especially aromatic. Characteristics of the most commonly found and popular Christmas tree species include:
- Fraser Fir – Stiff and sturdy branches for heavy ornaments, pleasant scent, soft-to-the-touch needles, excellent needle retention
- Balsam Fir – Highly aromatic, layered branches that can support an assortment of ornaments, soft-to-the-touch needles
- Bracted Balsam Fir (Canaan Fir) – An up-and-coming Christmas tree variety combining the best of both the Fraser fir and balsam fir
- Norway Pine – Minnesota’s official state tree; needles as long as five inches, excellent needle retention, stiff branches that can hold an array of ornaments, full shape
- Scotch Pine – Dense and bushy, medium-length needles, excellent needle retention, stiff branches that can hold heavy ornaments, tends to be more economical
- White Pine – Long and lacy needles that are soft to the touch, highly fragrant, weaker branches that are best for lightweight ornaments, excellent needle retention
- Black Hills Spruce – Shorter and softer needles, bluish-green to silvery blue foliage, stiff branches that can handle heavy ornaments
- Blue Spruce – Powdery blue needles that are sharp to the touch, good for households with pets that like to get into Christmas trees, sturdy branches that hold up to heavy ornaments
Decide Between Cut-Your-Own or Pre-Cut
You have two different options when it comes to buying a real Christmas tree: choose-and-cut or pre-cut. As you might guess, each option is pretty self-explanatory. It all comes down to whether you want to trudge out into a field in search of the perfect tree or simply roam a conveniently close forest of pre-cut trees. Although the former is a bit more work, this seasonal scavenger hunt is a lot more rewarding and an adventure in and of itself. Meanwhile, pre-cut trees are great if you’re short on time.
Measure Your Room’s Ceiling Height
You know the saying, “Your eyes are bigger than your stomach.” The same thing applies to Christmas trees. What seems like an ideally sized tree out in the open can often end up being way too big once you get it in your room. To avoid biting off more than you can chew, so to speak, measure the height of the ceiling before you head to the Christmas tree farm.
Do the Pull Test If Buying Pre-Cut
When cutting your own Christmas tree, you know that you are getting the freshest tree possible. That isn’t the case with a pre-cut tree, even if you’re going straight to the source to buy one. To make sure your chosen tree is fresh, give the end of a branch a gentle tug. If you see a shower of needles, keep searching. If no needles fall, you’re in the clear, and that beauty is a great choice to take home.
Take Advantage of Services Like Shaking and Baling
Most Christmas tree farms in the Rochester, MN, area will prep your tree before you take it home. This includes shaking out any dead needles—a must if you don’t want a trail of needles to follow you home, especially if you choose a tree with long needles—and baling (or wrapping) your tree with netting or twine. Not only does this safely collapse the branches, making the tree more compact and easier to transport, but it also simplifies the setup once you get it home. (Pro tip: Have the attendant mark the tree’s good side in some manner so you can face it appropriately in the tree stand before taking the netting off.)
Tricks to Keep Your Christmas Tree Fresh
Store Your Tree Somewhere Cool Until You’re Ready
If you have to wait a while before putting up your tree, stash it in a sheltered, unheated space like a garage or porch. If the tree is freshly cut, you can also keep the end in a bucket of water, ensuring that it is primed for watering when you move it to the stand.
Trim the Trunk Before Putting It in Water
Trees that were cut more than an hour ago must be trimmed before watering. (I would recommend always doing this for pre-cut trees, as you won’t know when they got the axe.) This is because, as the end dries out, a sticky resin will start to gather in the wood and block water absorption. Trimming the trunk by a half to one inch will cut off the clog and make sure your tree is ready for water.
Choose a Spot Away From Direct Heat Sources But Near an Outlet
When deciding where to display your tree, keep an eye out for furnace vents, fireplaces, radiators, TVs or other direct heat sources and be sure to avoid them. If you don’t, you could end up with a sparse, shedding tree before it’s even Christmas day, as the heat can cause the tree to go through water quickly and dry out faster. If you can, try to place the stand close to an electrical outlet to avoid having a tangled nest of extension cords and Christmas gifts beneath the tree.
Water Your Christmas Tree Every Day
Making sure your tree gets enough plain tap water (just say no to additives like floral preservatives, aspirin, sugar or other supplements) each day is the key to keeping it fresh and full. To estimate how much water your tree will likely need, simply measure the diameter of the trunk before putting it in the stand. A general rule of thumb is to assume that each inch across equals one quart of water per day. So, if your tree’s trunk measures three inches across, it should take up around three quarts of water daily. Keep in mind that some trees will require more. In fact, this is a good thing because it means that your tree is well-hydrated and, as a result, fresh. Remember that if you forget to water your tree and it dries out, you will need to take it out of the stand and trim it again to prepare it for watering.
Follow these simple tips and tricks, and you’ll enjoy a fresh, fragrant and, most importantly, festive tree all season long.
Check out the Holiday Guide for More Festive Fun!
