Branch Manager: Choosing the Holiday MVP

This holiday season, make lasting memories with a visit to a local tree farm—whether you’re picking the perfect precut tree or venturing into the fields to choose and cut your own. Many farms offer more than just trees: Enjoy festive activities like hayrides, cozy firepits and warming barns, or browse gift shops filled with seasonal treasures. Savor complimentary coffee, cocoa and other tasty treats while you take in the holiday cheer. Admission is often free, but keep in mind that some farms may only accept cash or checks. Once you’ve brought your tree home, be sure to check out our top ten tips for keeping your fresh-cut tree happy and healthy all season long.

Abbey Farms, Aurora

Select precut fir trees (up to 14 feet) or drive your car to the U-cut field of pine and spruce trees (up to 8 feet). Afterward, explore the Nagel Farmstand Emporium for decor, fresh fir garland and more.

• Rates: Cash only. Season: Saturday before Thanksgiving to the third week in December.

Ben’s Christmas Tree Farm, Harvard

Discover eight varieties of firs and pines ranging from 6 to 12 feet tall on this pesticide-free, choose-and-cut tree farm. While at the farm, meet Santa and take a horse-drawn wagon ride (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.). The warming barn sells wreaths and premium hot chocolate. 

• Rates: Cost per foot. Season: Friday after Thanksgiving through the second week in December (weekends only).

Bill’s Friendly Evergreen Tree Farm, McHenry

This U-cut tree farm grows spruce, fir and pine trees up to 23 feet tall.

• Rates: Cost per foot. Season: Friday after Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve (weekends only).

Grohmann’s Christmas Tree Farm, Gilson

Visitors enjoy a hayrack ride to the U-cut field where Scotch pine and fir trees grow on this family-owned farm. They’ll shake out and net your tree and provide twine to tie it to your vehicle. While on the farm, pop into the barn to see Luna the mini cow and her friends. A heated gift shop sells wreaths, swags and hanging baskets, plus hot chocolate and treats.

• Rates: Cost per foot. Season: mid-November to the third week of December.

Ochs Christmas Tree Farm, Galena

One of the original Illinois Christmas tree farms, Ochs grows multiple varieties of fir, spruce and pine. The species are spread across 12 acres, so plan on walking to find your perfect tree. The warming house sells wreaths, stands and miscellaneous decor.

• Rates: Cost per foot. Season: Friday after Thanksgiving through the first week in December (weekends only).

Pioneer Tree Farm, McHenry

In addition to U-cut organic trees, this old-fashioned farm offers hayrides, candle dipping, woodworking, Dutch-oven demos, and complimentary coffee and cocoa in the warming house.

• Rate: Flat-rate fee (cash or check). Season: Friday after Thanksgiving through the first weekend of December (weekends only).

Richardson Christmas Tree Farm, Spring Grove

Enjoy a wagon ride to (and from) the fields to cut down your tree. Warm up at the Tree Barn with complimentary hot chocolate or coffee while your tree is shook and wrapped. Also in the Tree Barn, find fresh, homemade cider doughnuts, kettle corn, fudge, wreaths, garland and decor.

• Rates: Flat-rate fee for cut-your-own tree. Precut trees are also available in the barn (limited supply). Season: Friday after Thanksgiving to the third week of December.

10 tips for happy, healthy fresh-cut trees

1. Once home, place your tree in a bucket of water. Once a tree is cut, more than half of its weight is water.
2. Determine room placement, which should be away from heat sources such as heaters, fireplaces, heat vents and direct sunlight.
3. The tree stand needs to hold enough water for the tree-stem diameter, which is approximately 1 quart of water for every inch of stem diameter.
4. Cut 1 inch from the base of the tree before securing it into the stand. After cutting, the tree base should be flat, not at an angle or V-shape.
5. Water the tree daily, ensuring the base of the tree is always under water.
6. Check lights prior to stringing on the tree; do not overload the outlet.
7. Turn off the tree lights before leaving the house and/or going to bed.
8. Check the tree for freshness; a loss of needles indicates stress from not enough water or too much heat. When the tree is dry, remove it from the house.
9. Do not burn your tree in a fireplace or woodstove.
10. Recycle your tree.