It was always, somehow, the coldest morning of the year when my dad would wake my brother and me, herd us into the beat-up old farm truck, and point the nose of that pumpkin-orange IH 1210 towards Mount Rainier. The mountain was visible from our front door as a hunched, white-capped giant guarding over the foothills landscape in the predawn darkness.
Those yearly trips into the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, where we would hike – permit in hand – through the woods in our early-Christmas-gift REI boots, munching on trail mix and arguing over the merits of each tree, formed my lifelong love of this Christmas tradition. Watching my father carefully dig up the chosen tree, wrapping the root ball in a burlap feed sack before my brother and I fulfilled our part of the chore and carried the tree between us back to the truck forever made the thought of an artificial tree impossible to contemplate, even when, later in life, the simplicity of those some-assembly-required Tannenbaums would have been a much easier – and cheaper – option.
And I can truly say it is only when the scent of tree sap and crushed needles hits my senses on the way home from picking a tree – whether it is at a nearby forest, a tree farm, or a local tree lot – that it truly begins to feel a lot like Christmas.
Each year, when the excitement of Christmas had passed and preparations for the New Year were underway, my dad, brother, and I would take the tree under mom’s watchful eye and plant it along the strip of woods between our yard and the front pasture. During a trip to the old homestead a couple of years ago, it was a thrill to see those trees were still there … although it did make me feel rather old to see that many of them were now four to five times as tall as the old house.
After much debate between my brother and me during each year’s hike, we inevitably picked either a Grand fir (usually when I got my way) or the Noble fir (when my brother got his way). The Grand fir, one of Washington’s four native firs, was my favorite, partly because the needles were, to my mind, a prettier, brighter shade of green than the Noble fir, and the needles were flat and rounded. They were also less pointy than the hockey-stick curved needles of the Noble fir, which made the Grand much more pleasant to carry and decorate. Since I had a bad-girl habit (at least according to my mom) of sneaking into the living room and falling asleep under the tree, watching the twinkling lights and the fire in the nearby fireplace, the softness of the needles was a key factor for me.
The Noble fir, however, did have stronger branches, which meant we could pile on the ornaments! Both trees have a distinctive, strong, resiny, Christmassy smell, though the Grand’s scent also carried a slight citrus note. Since moving away from the Pacific Northwest, I have missed the attributes of these two firs and the memories associated with them. Frasier firs are fine trees, but for this PNW girl, they have just never made the grade. So when I found out, while researching area Christmas tree farms for this article, that there was a Northeast Georgia tree farm that imported fresh-cut trees from the Pacific Northwest, I knew I had to make the drive to the Kinsey Family Farm northwest of Gainesville.
The farm, a full-feature nursery, garden décor, and harvest store as well as a pumpkin patch and Christmas tree farm, is an expansive, 50+ acre spread, nicely set up for a large influx of customers with plentiful parking, some cute farm animals nearby for the kiddos, and what is possibly the largest area selection of Christmas trees, along with beautiful fresh swags and wreaths. And just as importantly, their staff members are not only very helpful and friendly but are quite knowledgeable and happy to help with your selection of just the right tree for your family.
Kinsey Family Farm tree prices were on the upper end of the scale, but the availability of live, you-cut, fresh-cut, and pre-cut trees and the wide selection of tree types, all of which were of excellent quality – healthy, full, and judiciously trimmed – justified the price range. The large section of more reasonably-priced pre-cut trees is good for those with a more conservative budget than those seeking fresh-cut or live root trees. And one of my favorite sections of the large tree barn was what they call “Charlie Brown” trees. Advertised at $24, I expected this selection of trees to be scrawny, 3-foot “junk” trees with lopsided branches and holes.. but instead, I found a large selection of pretty, decently-sized, full, symmetrical, healthy trees… an unbeatable deal in these days of $100 drooping, sad looking trees at the local box store.
And I can truly say it is only when the scent of tree sap and crushed needles hits my senses on the way home from picking a tree – whether it is at a nearby forest, a tree farm, or a local tree lot – that it truly begins to feel a lot like Christmas.
Tree farms in and around Northeast Georgia:
Barn Hill Tree Farm — 417 Oklahoma Ave W, Dahlonega, GA — Out of Stock/Closed for the Season
Becks Christmas Tree Farm — 648 Christmas Tree Rd., Bowersville, GA — No details on tree varieties or prices published.
Berry’s Christmas Tree Farm — 70 Mt. Tabor Rd., Covington, GA — Choose/Cut/Carry: Leyland Cypress ($9/ft.) Carolina Sapphire ($9/ft.), Murray Cypress ($9/ft.), Cedar ($8/ft.), Virginia Pine ($8/ft.). Pre-cut: Fraser Fir (prices vary), Blue Ice ($9/ft.). Pet-friendly (leashed)
Blessed Pastures Farm — 340 Rock Creek Rd. SW, Calhoun, GA — Choose/Cut/Carry: Mostly Murray Cypress, some Carolina Sapphire, and Eastern Red Cedar. No pre-cut Fraser Firs. Cash only. No prices listed.
Bottoms Christmas Tree Farm — 5880 John Burruss Rd., Cumming, GA — Choose/Cut/Carry: Leyland Cypress, Virginia Pine, Carolina Sapphire, White Pine, Deodar Cedar. Pre-cut: Fraser Fir. Choose/Cut/Carry $10/SF, precut individually priced. Pet-friendly (leashed)
Choestoe farms — 130 Twiggs Rd., Blairsville, GA — Choose/Cut/Carry: Murray Cypress. Prices depend on size (6-9 ft) and range between $45-$85.
Christmas Carroll Tree Farm — LaFayette, GA — (2 locations, see website for more information) Choose/Cut/Carry: Leyland and Murray Cypress, and Carolina Sapphires starting at $30, pre-cut North Carolina Fraser Firs, individually priced.
Coker Tree Farm — 2280 Macland Rd., Marietta, GA — Choose/Cut/Carry: Murray Cypress and Carolina Sapphire trees ($10/ft.) Pre-cut: North Carolina Fraser Firs (Price varies, but approximately $12/ft.)
Cooper’s Tree Farm — 5577 Winder Hwy., Braselton, GA — No Choose/Cut/Carry this year. Pre-cut Fraser Firs available. Prices not listed.
Friendship Valley Christmas Tree Farm — 130 Friendship Valley Rd., Seneca, SC — Out of Stock/Closed for the Season
Hartland Farms — 1791 Flat Rock Rd. Hartwell, GA — Does not specialize in Christmas trees but does offer Carolina Sapphire and Green Giant Arborvitae trees as part of their normal tree farm selections. Visit the website for more information.
Holly Hill Christmas Tree Farm — 276 Woodland Ln., Dahlonega, GA — Choose/Cut/Carry: White Pines and Cypress. Pre-cut: Fraser Firs. Prices not published.
Hunters’ Christmas Tree Farm — 14680 Wood Rd., Milton, GA — Choose/Cut/Carry: Leyland Cypress sold out. Pre-cut: Fraser Firs (Starting at $14/ft.)
Jacks Creek Tree Farm — 2291 Price Mill Rd., Bishop, GA — Choose/Cut/Carry: Leyland Cypress, Red Cedars, Blue Ice Spruce, Carolina Sapphire, Green Giant. Pre-cut: Fraser firs. Tabletop trees ($30). Other tree prices not listed, but they do offer a distance discount: Show proof that you live 30+ miles away and receive $5 off any Christmas Tree.
Kinsey Family Farm — 7170 Jot-em Down Rd., Gainesville, GA — Choose/Cut/Carry: Carolina Sapphire Cypress, Murray Cypress. Live (root ball): ‘Hoopsii’ Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce, Dwarf Alberta Spruce, Deodar Cedar, ‘Carolina Sapphire’ Arizona Cypress. Pre-cut: Fraser Fir, Noble Fir, Douglas Fir, Balsam Fir (limited), Blue Spruce, Nordmann Fir, Scotch Pine. “Charlie Brown” trees – $24. All other prices vary.
Kittle Christmas Tree Farm — 949 Salem Valley Rd., Ringgold, GA — Choose/Cut/Carry: Leyland Cypress, Carolina Sapphire, White Pine. Prices not published
May Lan Tree Plantation — 56 Cooley Bridge Rd., Pelzer, SC — Choose/Cut/Carry: Virginia Pine, Eastern Red Cedar, Leyland Cypress. Prices not published
Mike’s Christmas Tree Farm — 3847 Loganville Highway (Hwy 20), Loganville, GA — Choose/Cut/Carry: Virginia Pine, Red Cedar, White Pine, Leyland Cypress, and Scotch Pine. Trees are $35, any size. Limited inventory. Call before visiting.
Moss Family Christmas Tree Farm — 121 GA-140, Adairsville, GA — Choose/Cut/Carry: Murray Cypress, Green Arborvitae, and Carolina Sapphire. Pre-cut: Fraser, Concolor, Turkish, and Canaan Firs. Prices not published.
Raulston Acres Christmas Tree Farm — 2572 Georgia 95, Rock Springs, GA — Choose/Cut/Carry: Murray Cypress, Blue Ice Cypress, Carolina Sapphire, Virginia Pine, White Pine. Pre-cut: Oregon Douglas Fir. Farm-grown trees approximately $9/ft., and pre-cut trees $12-$13/ft.
Santa Land Christmas Tree Farm — 2574 Concord Rd., LaFayette, GA — Choose/Cut/Carry: Cypress trees up to 7 feet available $8 per foot, including tax. Cash or check only.
7 G’s Farm — 2377 Old Kings Bridge Rd., Nicholson, GA — Out of stock/Closed for the season.
Silver Creek Christmas Tree Farm — 226 Spur 101 SE, Silver Creek, GA — Choose/Cut/Carry: Murray Cypress, White Pine, Carolina Sapphire. Pre-cut: Fraser Firs. Prices not published.
Sleepy Hollow Farm — 628 Sleepy Hollow Rd., Powder Springs, GA — Choose/Cut/Carry: Leyland Cypress, Carolina Sapphire, and Virginia Pines (limited stock). Pre-cut: North Carolina Fraser Fir. Farm-grown trees are $10-$12/ft. Pre-cut are $12-$15/ft.
Sorrells Christmas Tree Farm — 156 Radisson Road Seneca, SC — Choose/Cut/Carry: Carolina Sapphire, Eastern Red Cedar, Leyland Cypress, Murray Cypress, Virginia Pine, White Pine. Prices not published.
Southern Tree Plantation 2226 Owltown Rd., Blairsville, GA, limited inventory. Contact before visiting.
Thompson’s Tree Farm — 1829 Prospect Rd., Lawrenceville, GA — Choose/Cut/Carry: Green Giants, Blue Ice, and Carolina Sapphires. No Fraser Firs. Prices not listed.
West Wood Farms — 139 West Wood Farms Dr., Mineral Bluff, GA — Choose/Cut/Carry: Carolina Sapphire, Juniper, and Murray Cypress, starting at $13/ft.
Wheeler’s Christmas Tree Farm — 662 Hall Rd., Cairo, GA — Choose/Cut/Carry: Murray & Leyland Cypress, Carolina Sapphire, and Blue Ice Cedar. Prices not published.
Young Road Christmas Tree Farm — 139 Young Rd. SW, Cartersville, GA — Choose/Cut/Carry: Eastern Red Cedar, Leyland Cypress, Virginia Pine, White Pine. Pre-cut: Fraser Firs. $12/ft. Any variety. Cash only.
Yule Forest — 3565 Hwy. 155 N., Stockbridge, GA — Choose/Cut/Carry: Leyland Cypress, Green Giant, Virginia Pine, Blue Ice Cypress, Carolina Sapphire, Burkii Cedar. Pre Cut Fraser Fir, Blue Spruce. Prices vary.
CHOOSING A TREE
Tips: Look for a tree that…
- Has been kept in water, out of the direct sunlight
- Does not have dry, brittle twigs or a sour, musty smell
- Is not losing green needles (the loss of old brown needles from the inside of the tree when shaken does not indicate a problem with the tree.)
- Has needles that feel pliable and fresh.
- Is the right size for the space and is not too large for your tree stand. 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. Also, do not remove the bottom whorl of branches from the tree to fit it in the stand. Be sure that the handle (the butt of the tree – the space between the lowest ring of branches and the bottom of the trunk) is long enough to allow display of the tree without cutting off the lower whorl of large branches. USDA grading rules specify trees should have a minimum 6” handle and a maximum of 1 ½ inches for every foot of tree height.
Types: Choose a tree that suits you
These days, you can find Firs, Pines, Cedars, Spruces, Cypresses, and a few miscellaneous trees being sold as Christmas trees. Firs and Pines are your best best for needle retention and are some of the most traditional Christmas trees. Spruces tend to be the best for rigid branches (for heavy ornaments), with the Scotch pine being the exception, having very strong branches. The Fir trees will have the strongest scents, while Spruce and Cypress trees have no or little scent, making them good for those with allergies. Firs, White Pine and Cypress trees are your best bet for soft needles, while the Spruces are very prickly.
FIR
- Balsam – Dark green, ¾” to 1.5” flat needles, rounded at the tip, with excellent retention, but weaker limbs do not do well with heavy ornaments. Strong, long-lasting scent. Classic Christmas tree shape
- Canaan – Short, soft needles that are dark green on the upper surface and silvery blue on the underside. Combines the strong fragrance of the Balsam Fir with the better needle retention of the Fraser Fir.
- Fraser – Arguably one of the most popular Christmas trees, and typically the tree used at tree lots, box stores, and fundraising tree stands. Short, ½” – 1” flat needles that are dark green on top and blue-green underneath. Good needle retention, Branches tip up and are slightly rigid, but not the best for very heavy ornaments. Light sweet/pungent scent. Nice pyramid shape.
- Noble – Short, 1” upturned needles that are rich deep green on top with a blue-green underside. Rigid branches make it well-suited to heavy ornaments. Upturned needles with medium green top and blue-green underside. Extremely aromatic.
- White or Concolor – Blue-green needles, with a whitish tint, that are ½” – 1 ½” with good retention. Nice pyramid shape and light, citrus scent.
- Grand – Bright green, shiny flat needles, 1” – 1 ½” long with blunt, rounded tips. Resiny, citrusy scent. The needles alternate longer and shorter on the branch, which gives the branches a fuller look.
- Nordmann – Deep, black-green, glossy needles that are longer than most other firs, giving it a softer look. Needle retention similar to Nobles and Frasers.
- Douglas – 1” – 1.5” dark green, soft (what the Forest Service calls Flat, Friendly, and Flexible) needles that radiate in all directions from the stem, giving the tree a full appearance. Neele retention is poor. Strong, sweet, Christmassy fragrance, especially when needles are crushed.
PINE
- Eastern White – Some of the longest needles out of all Christmas tree varieties, giving it a very soft look. Soft, flexible 2” – 5” green needles with a slight blue tint. Average needle retention, with a faint scent that makes it a good choice for those sensitive to strong smells. Requires lots of water.
- Scotch (Scots) – 1” – 3”, medium, bright green, stiff needles with sharp ends. Excellent needle retention, needles will stay on even when dry. Strong branches with an open arrangement, good for heavy and/or large ornaments. Keeps aroma throughout the season.
- Virginia – Dark green needles are 1 ½” – 3″. Strong branches densely arranged. Strong aromatic pine scent. Grows natively in Georgia.
- Afghan – Soft, short needles with sturdy branches; open appearance; mild fragrance; average needle retention.
CEDAR
- Deodar – Very short blueish-green, very prickly needles. Very strong, drooping branches.
- Eastern Red – Dark, shiny, green needles that are very prickly to the touch. Strong, long-lasting scent. Poor needle retention (actually a juniper, not cedar).
SPRUCE
- Colorado Blue – Blue-green or gray-green, short, stiff, sharp needles with an unpleasant odor when needles are crushed. Symmetrical form, with good needle retention.
- Norway – ½” – 1” long, shiny, dark green needles with poor retention and a strong fragrance, and a nice conical shape.
- White – ½” – ¾” green to bluish-green, short, stiff needles with a blunt tip; crushed needles have an unpleasant odor; good needle retention and strong branches.
CYPRESS
- Leyland – Medium to dark green slender needles that are soft to the touch. Less sturdy branches that do not do well with heavy ornaments. Excellent needle retention, very little scent. Requires lots of water.
- Murray – Variant of the Leyland Cypress bred to have improved qualities for the grower. Very little discernible difference to the Leyland for the consumer. Perhaps slightly darker than the Leyland.
- Arizona Cypress (Carolina Sapphire & Blue Ice) – Arizona Cypress trees include the Carolina Sapphire and Blue Ice varieties. Carolina Sapphire’s best characteristics include a beautiful blue color and an excellent aroma. The Blue Ice has an unusual blue/gray color. Both have lacy-appearing needles with densely-packed limbs of low rigidity, making heavy ornaments unwise. Trees dry out fast, with medium to low needle retention. Light citrusy/minty scent.
MISC
- Green Giant Arborvitae – Fast-growing evergreen with an exclamation point form. Similar in foliage to the Carolina Sapphire. Not traditionally thought of as a Christmas tree, but is less expensive and useful as a hedge planting after Christmas.
CARING FOR YOUR TREE
- Double-check that the seller makes a fresh cut straight across the base of the trunk to aid water absorption.
- Keep your Christmas tree in a sheltered, unheated area such as a porch or garage to protect it from the wind and sun until you are ready to bring it indoors.
- Keep the trunk of the tree immersed in a bucket of water. A seal of dried sap will form over the cut stump in four to six hours if the water drops below the base of the tree, preventing the tree from absorbing water later when the tree stand is refilled. If a seal forms, another fresh cut will need to be made before putting it in the stand. Don’t cut the trunk at an angle or into a v-shape.
- Use a stand with a water reservoir that can hold one quart of water for every inch of the trunk’s diameter. Note: A tree will absorb as much as a gallon of water or more in the first 24 hours and one or more quarts a day thereafter.
- Remember to check the water level in the morning and at night for the first week and refill as needed — it should always cover the bottom two inches of the trunk. Checking once per day should be sufficient after the first week.
- Use fresh, cool water. Do not add bleach, corn syrup, aspirin, sugar or any other additive, and do not use hot water.
- Do not drill holes in the base of the trunk, this does not improve water uptake.
- Keep trees away from major sources of heat (fireplaces, heaters, heat vents, direct sunlight). Lowering the room temperature will slow the drying process, reducing water consumption each day.
- Never burn any part of a Christmas tree in a wood stove or fireplace.
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(Tree data, needle photos, and care tips compiled from Kinsey Farm, USDA Forest Service, pickyourownchristmastree.org, Oregon State University Extension Service, realchristmastrees.org, Farmers Almanac and the Georgia Christmas Tree Association.)
