NEWS

It's time to cut your own Christmas tree

Vickki Dozier
Lansing State Journal
Jack Hanneman, his wife Renee and daughters Sierra, 15, and Courtney, 21, find a tree that suits them at the Peacock Road Family Farm, Nov. 21, 2015.

Forget the artificial reproductions. This year, it's time for the real thing. You're going to cut your own Christmas tree.

With a couple dozen local Christmas tree farms, and hundreds across the state, there is no shortage of pines, firs and spruces.

Some farms have just trees. Others offer hay rides, bonfires, Santa: all the bells and whistles.

Peacock Road Family Farm in Laingsburg, is well-known for its "Santa experience."

A tractor dressed up like a locomotive takes families to see Santa at the Peacock Road Family Farm, Nov. 21, 2015.

“We sort of emulate the Polar Express," said Diana Carpenter, who has owned the farm with her husband, Ed Carpenter, since 1985. "We make a keepsake ticket they purchase in the store, they get on our train at the train station and then they travel by our reindeer, go over a bridge, go through woods and they arrive at the north pole, where Santa is."

From opening day last year to Christmas Eve, Carpenter says they had more than 9,000 people see the Santa experience, and probably well over 10,000 people come through the farm.

Tannenbaum Farms in Mason has a Christmas Shop with appearances from Santa on certain days, wagon rides and a bonfire.

"Our Christmas shop has a lot of really unique items," said Tannenbaum Farms owner Mel Koelling. This is the 33rd year Koelling and his wife, Laurie, have sold Christmas trees from their farm.

"Laurie goes to Atlanta and buys gift and ornaments that are very different," he said. "She also has three large trees decorated in the shop, all following a certain theme. There's a Santa tree, a white snowy tree and the platinum tree."

The wagon rides are free, part of the experience. You get on, Koelling says, and it takes you back to a bonfire area where there is a concession stand, as well as wagons and carts you can pick up to go get your tree.

Reverman Farms in Grand Ledge has horse drawn wagon rides on certain days and free hot chocolate. Peterson Tree Farm in Webberville has weekend wagon rides and treats for the kids. Austin Tree Farm in Okemos has free wagon rides and hot chocolate. Carpenter Tree Farm in Eaton Rapids has hay rides on Saturdays and Sundays. Discount Tree Farms in Bath has free wagon rides.

Despite cold, Harper Rustad, 3, from Haslett, checks out the goats at the Peacock Road Family Farm, Nov. 21, 2015.

Once you're home, what do you do with the tree?

For a fresh cut tree, it's important to get it home and get it into water, said Marsha Gray, executive director of the Michigan Christmas Tree Association in Howell. This will avoid the tree drying out and minimize needle loss.

If you're not going to display it for a few days, put it in a bucket of water.

Get a stand that has a good water capacity. Keep the level up above the cut on the base of the stump. The bigger the capacity, the less filling you are going to have to do. Check it the first few days in particular. It's all about the water.

Joe and Carol Parr, from Charlotte, warm up a bit by a fire after cutting down a tree at the Peacock Road Family Farm,  Nov. 21, 2015.

They typically recommend that a tree stand can hold a quart of water for every inch of diameter of the tree, which is measured across the base of the trunk. For example, if you have a 6-inch diameter tree, there's a gallon-and-a-half water capacity in that bowl.

Remember, part of the tree's cycle is to drop some needles. To get the cleanest tree possible, see if they have a shaker at the farm or lot. It's a machine that shakes trees to knock some of the debris out. Shaking will knock a lot of loose, older needles out of the tree.

If you're not in favor of the big family tree, or an artificial one, the living tree has become popular over the past 15 to 20 years.

With a living tree, you bring a potted tree into your home, use it for a Christmas decoration, then plant it in the yard.

Gray says she does caution people that you can only keep those trees in the house for a week to 10 days.

"Once it comes inside, it gets warm and starts to think it's spring, Gray said. "If you're going to plant it here in Michigan, you should pre-dig a spot for it and mulch it, so you can put it in garage and protect it and it will last until spring.

"It is not for the faint of heart. It requires a lot of work and is something to really think about before you make the commitment to do it."

Tree shopping

Some places to go find your own fresh Christmas tree (list below map):

INGHAM COUNTY

Austin Tree Farm

2840 Okemos Road, Okemos.

Contact: 351-3870.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 27, 28, and 29. After that, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 5, 6, 12 and 13.

Varieties: Blue spruce, white pine and firs.

Prices: $30 to $75

Special features: Free wagon rides and hot chocolate; shaking, baling and drilling, tree stands for purchase.

D'Lamater's Winter-fresh Christmas Tree Farm

1002 Kinneville Road, Leslie.

Contact: 589-8521.

Hours: Open 7 days: noon to dark Mondays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to dark Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Open starting Nov. 27. Call for hours the week before Christmas.

Varieties: Fraser fir, concolor fir, balsam fir, Douglas fir, blue spruce, Scotch pine and white pine.

Prices: Start at $26.53 and up.

Haslett Christmas Tree Farm

1480 Haslett Road, Williamston

Contact:  881-0368

Hours:  9 a.m. until dark Saturdays and Sundays, Thanksgiving through Christmas.

Varieties: Baldam Fir, Fraser Fir, concolor fir, Douglas Fir and blue spruce.

Prices: $40 U-Cut, $50 We-Cut

Special features: Decorated fresh wreaths available for purchase; size: 14" to 18", cost $20.

Peterson Tree Farm

5155 Herrington Road, Webberville.

Contact: 468-3938

Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. Open from Nov. 27 through Dec. 24

Varieties: Scotch Pine, white pine, blue spruce, Norway spruce, white spruce and Fraser Fir.

Prices: $30 to $55

Special features: Shaking and wrapping, weekend wagon rides and treats for the kids.

Star Tree Farm

1822 Willoughby Road, Mason.

Contact: 282-4539

Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 27 and 28. After that, open 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, (closed Sundays) through Dec. 19.

Varieties: Scotch pine, white pine, spruce and balsam fir.

Prices: $33 to $63, cash or check only.

Special features: Free coffee and hot chocolate. Wrapping of the tree is free. Wreaths available for $25.

Tannenbaum Farms

2515 Sandhill Road, Mason.

Contact: 332-2094.

Hours: The farm open now until Dec. 24. Open 9 a.m. to dark Friday, Nov. 27. Open 12:30 p.m. to dark Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to dark Saturdays and Sundays.

Varieties: Fraser fir, Colorado blue spruce, Scotch pine and white pine, from 6 feet to 17 feet tall, for you to cut.

Prices: $25 to $40 for 6 to 7-foot trees, priced by height and species. Larger trees go up to $150. Also, selection of pre-cut trees in the barn.

Special features: Christmas Shop open the same hours as the farm. Santa will be present Friday, Nov. 27 and the first two weekends of December. Wagon rides on weekends only. There will also be a bonfire and a concession stand on weekends only.

Warner's Pines

2110 W. Holmes Road, Lansing.

Contact: 204-6869

Hours: Opens Nov. 27, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. After that, noon to 9 p.m. seven days a week, through Dec. 24.

Varieties: Fraser fir, concolor fir, blue spruce, Scotch pine, white pine, Douglas fir and Black Hills spruce.

Prices: $30 and up.

Special features: Decorated wreaths and garlands available for purchase.

EATON COUNTY

Carpenter Tree Farm

11243 Barnes Road, Eaton Rapids.

Contact: 663-1037

Hours: Opens Nov. 27, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. After that, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m, Wednesdays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Nov. 27 through Dec. 20.

Varieties: Fraser fir, balsam fir, Douglas fir, concolor fir (limited), Norway spruce, white spruce, blue spruce and white pine.

Prices: $35 any size - any type.

Special features: Hay rides Saturdays and Sundays only. Free bailing, cleaning and drilling services. Greenery of all types available for purchase.

Charlie's Christmas Tree Farm

9881 Rossman Highway, Eaton Rapids.

Contact: 646-8961

Hours: 9 a.m. to dark Nov. 27. After that, 12:30 p.m. to dark weekdays, 9 a.m. to dark weekends.

Varieties: Fraser fir, concolor fir, Korean fir, blue spruce and white pine.

Prices: $12 to $60.

Good's Christmas Tree Farm

999 W. Kalamo Highway, Charlotte.

Contact: 231-2080, 543-7864.

Hours: Opens Nov. 27, 10 a.m. to dark. After that, 4 p.m. to dark weekdays, 9 a.m. to dark Saturdays, 1 p.m. to dark Sundays.

Varieties: Fraser fir, concolor fir, Canaan fir, balsam fir, blue spruce, Norway spruce and white pine.

Prices: $20 to $60 based on quality and species. Cutting assistance available.

Reverman Farms

16500 Forest Hill Road, Grand Ledge.

Contact: 627-6204.

Hours: 4 p.m. to dark Mondays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to dark Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Open Nov. 27 until Christmas Day.

Varieties: Fraser fir, concolor fir, balsam fir, Douglas fir, Canaan fir, Korean fir, blue spruce, white spruce, Norway spruce and white pine.

Prices: All trees $40, U-Cut and pre-cut.

Special features: Wreaths, grave blankets and garland available. Free hot chocolate, candy canes, wagon rides and cow train rides. Horse drawn wagon rides will be held on Nov. 28 and 29, Dec. 5, 6, 12 and 13.

CLINTON COUNTY

Discount Tree Farms

4138 Clark Road, Bath.

Contact: 676-8733.

Hours: Opens Nov. 27 from 9 a.m. to dark. After that, noon to dark Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to dark Saturdays and Sundays. Open through Dec. 23.

Varieties: Fraser fir, concolor fir, blue spruce, white spruce, Norway spruce, Black Hills spruce and white pine.

Prices: $25 and up. Also a selection of pre-cut trees and live potted trees.

Special features: Free wagon rides. Free shaking and bailing.

Parkers U-Cut Christmas Trees

1325 E. Taft Road, St. Johns

Contact: (989) 640-5010 or (989) 224-4985; lparker@casair.net or mrsparkerstjoecatholic@gmail.com

Hours: 9 a.m. to dark starting Nov. 27

Varieties: Blue spruce, white spruce, Norway pines and Fraser varieties.

Prices: $30 and up.

Peacock Road Family Farm

11864 Peacock Road, Laingsburg.

Contact: 651-9193

Hours: Open seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. to Dec. 24. Closed Thanksgiving.

Varieties: Fraser fir, Douglas fir, blue spruce, black hills spruce, white spruce and concolor fir. Also offer Scotch pine and white pine in pre-cut lot area.

Prices: $40 and up.

Special features: Food on site. Custom wreath shop open during farm hours.

VanAtta's Flower Shop

9008 Old M-78, Haslett.

Contact: 339-1142

Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays after Thanksgiving, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays before Thanksgiving, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays after Thanksgiving, through Dec. 24 (close at 4 p.m. Dec. 24).

Varieties: Scotch pine, white pine, blue spruce, Douglas fir, balsam fir, concolor fir and Fraser fir.

Prices: $35 and up.

Special features: Free coffee and tea. All trees are grown in Michigan.

IONIA COUNTY

Goose Creek Tree Farm

1774 Divine Highway, Lyons.

Contact: (888) 945-3701

Hours: Dawn to dusk, Nov. 27 through Dec. 24.

Varieties: Norway spruce, blue spruce, white spruce, Serbian spruce, Fraser fir, concolor fir and Canaan fir.

Prices: $45 and up U-Cut; $15 and up fresh cut.

Horrocks Christmas Tree Farm

1776 N. State Road, Ionia

Contact: (616) 527-4842

Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 20 through Dec. 20.

Varieties: White pine, Scotch pine, blue spruce, white spruce, Douglas fir, concolor fir, Fraser fir, Korean fir, Canaan fir, balsam fir and Serbian spruce.

Prices: Pre-cut, U-Cut and potted trees available. Pre-cut range from $5-7 per foot depending on species. U-Cut: $22 and up. Potted trees: $10 and up.

Special features: Wreaths and garlands available for purchase. Horse-drawn hayrides on weekends from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Gift shop and Christmas Fun House.

SHIAWASSEE COUNTY

Howard Tree Farm

4645 W. Jacobs Road, Perry.

Contact: 719-3882

Hours: Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 27, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 28, noon to 5 p.m. Nov. 29. December hours 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. Sundays, through Dec. 20. Also open by appointment.

Varieties: Fraser fir, balsam fir, Colorado blue spruce, Norway spruce and Scotch pine.

Prices: $30-$60.

Special features: Free popcorn. Refreshments available.

WASHTENAW COUNTY

Hillside Christmas Tree Farm

14745 Sharon Hollow Road, Manchester

Contact: 546-7233

Hours: Open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the following days: Nov. 27, 28 and 29, Dec. 5, 6, 12,13, 19 and 20.

Varieties: Scotch pine, Colorado blue spruce, Black Hills spruce, Serbian spruce, Canaan fir, balsam fir, concolor fir or white fir.

Prices: Pine $4 per foot, spruce $6 per foor, fir $8  per foot; about $20 and up.

Special features: Hay rides, tree cleaning, tree wrapping, pre-cut trees, Tot lot, Christmas barn, hot meals, Christmas crafts.

JACKSON COUNTY

Pleasant Lake Pines

6562 Territorial Road, Pleasant Lake

Contact: 769-2101

Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week Nov. 27 through Dec. 25

Varieties: Douglas fir, Blue Norway, white spruce and Fraser varieties.

Price: $35 for any tree.

Special features: Branches and boughs available for wreaths, swags, garlands and centerpieces.