Northern Illinois is lousy with Christmas tree farms, most growing popular varieties like blue spruce, Scotch pine, Douglas fir, Fraser fir, balsam fir and white pine.
The lovely thing about a natural tree is, of course, the smell of a fresh-cut tree. Plus, when you purchase a live tree, you’re helping an American farmer.
Then there’s the benefits to the environment: according to the National Christmas Tree Association, for every tree that’s cut, farmers plant two to three seedlings. While they’re growing, the trees take in the bad gases, like carbon monoxide, and produce oxygen: one acre of Christmas trees provides the daily oxygen requirements of 18 people.
Additionally, trees provide a natural habitat for birds, bugs and other critters while they’re growing.
After Christmas, most towns have a recycle program. Or, the trees can be used as a habitat refuge in your own backyard.
Live trees can be easily maintained. Just make sure there’s always fresh water in the tree stand and don’t use real candles in the branches.
Visiting a tree farm for the perfect tree has become a tradition for families. Many farms offer amenities to make your trip pleasant, from the use of hand saws to free shaking and baling, the process by which a tree is pulled through a funnel, compressed and wrapped in plastic mesh for an easy ride home.
Some farms offer free hayrides out to the fields, hot chocolate and bonfires. A few farms will even let you bring your leashed dog. Generally speaking, most places sell seasonal decorations such as handmade wreaths, swags, boughs and pre-cut trees, as well as baked goods. Some even sell trees with the root ball, so you can plant it in your yard after Christmas.
Some farms have special events on certain weekends; check websites for details.
So pile in and get ready to have some old-fashioned holiday fun. Just make sure to call first or check the farm’s website to check the rules and regulations. It’s a good idea to bring your own hand saw and ropes, just in case.
Here’s a list of area Christmas tree farms.
*Anderson Tree Farm, 508 E. Schoolhouse Road, Plainfield. 815-436-2140. Email karen@visitandersontreefarm.com. www.visitandersontreefarm.comhttp://Visitandersontreefarm.com. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to Dec. 24. Cost: $9 per foot for you-cut trees; pre-cut Fraser firs $65-$120. Shaking, baling, hayrides, popcorn and hot chocolate are free. Breakfast served from 8-11 a.m. weekends. Cash, checks and credit cards accepted.
*Bengtson Tree Farm, 10919 W. Wilmington Road, Peotone. 708-258-9610. www.treefarmusa.comhttp://Treefarmusa.com. Open 9 a.m. to 4:30 daily Nov. 27 to Dec. 22. Cost is $8 a foot on trees up to 10 feet and $10 a foot on trees taller than 11 feet, plus tax. Shaking and baling cost $3 each or $5 for both. They will retrieve your tree from the field for free and bring it up to the warming building. Live reindeer for pictures. Cash or check only; an ATM is available on site.
*Green Garden Christmas Tree Farms, 11615 Pauling Road, Manhattan. 815-735-2372; www.greengardenchristmastreefarm.comhttp://Greengardenchristmastreefarm.com. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 27-29 and then weekends only until sold out. This farm has Austrian, Scotch and white pine and Norway spruce. They offer free hot chocolate, coffee, juice and cookies; plus a free tree seedling with every tree purchase. All trees cost $50. Cash or check only.
*Puckerville Farms, 13332 Bell Road, Lemont. 708-508-0906; www.puckervillefarms.webs.comhttp://Puckervillefarms.webs.com. Email JoyPuckervillefarm@sbcglobal.net. Hours 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily Nov. 27 through Dec. 24. Fraser firs up to 6 feet, wreaths and rope garland available. Cash and check only.
*Tammen Tree Berry Farm, 37131 Essex Road, Wilmington. 800-892-5989. www.tammentreeberryfarm.nethttp://Tammentreeberryfarm.net. btammen@tammentreeberryfarm.net. Open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily Nov. 29-Dec. 19. They have Douglas fir, Fraser fir, Canaan fir, balsam fir, white pine and Scotch pine. Cost is $50 per tree; shaking and baling cost $7. Cash, checks, credit and debit cards accepted.
*Santa’s Holiday Forest, 95E700 N., Valparaiso, Indiana.. 219-462-1068; www.santasholidayforest.infohttp://Santasholidayforest.info. Open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily Nov. 27 to Dec. 24. They offer Scotch and white pine and Fraser firs, 3 to 15 feet. See website for a coupon. Credit cards accepted.
Annie Alleman is a freelance reporter.
