“O, CHRISTMAS TREE” FARMS

A nostalgic holiday tradition 

In an age of pre-lit artificial trees, an old-fashioned Christmas tree farm is an opportunity to build memories, establish traditions and embrace the wonder of the season. The sweet, woodsy aroma that lingers from a live Christmas tree lends an instant festive feel to your home and conjures up memories of the time spent together selecting your tree. Plus, a visit to a choose-and-cut tree farm is the perfect kick-off to the holiday season: the kids can freely run and enjoy the outdoors while you sip on hot chocolate, take photos and make memories. Once home, your carefully selected Christmas tree becomes part of your family’s holiday story. 

To get you started on your adventure, here are six regional tree farms that will make shopping for your Christmas tree a nostalgic holiday adventure. We’ve organized them from east to west between Lynchburg and Roanoke for your convenience. Note: Do check hours carefully as many smaller farms adjust them or even sell out; we recommend calling before committing to a long drive! 

Left Photo Courtesy of Green Needles | Right Photo Courtesy of Jennifer Redmond

Green Needles Christmas Tree Farm
1175 Yew Tree Lane, Coleman Falls
(434) 907-3138
Friday: 10 am – 5:30 pm
Saturday: 9 am – 5:30 pm 

Located in Bedford County, Green Needles Christmas Tree Farm offers fresh-cut and choose-and-cut Christmas trees, wreaths and roping. A variety of Fraser firs, white pines and Norway spruce allows you to select the perfect tree to suit your home’s size and style. For those who want a large tree for open spaces, Green Needles even has some trees over 10 feet tall! The farm is open every Saturday before Thanksgiving, and then every Friday and Saturday until Christmas.

Photos Courtesy of Jennifer Redmond

Dancing Hill Christmas Tree Farm
1401 Dancing Hill Road, Bedford
(434) 660-1775 | Friday and Saturday: 9 am – 6 pm 

Dancing Hill Christmas Tree Farm (opening the Friday after Thanksgiving), offers a variety of choose-and-cut trees. Pre-made wreaths — with or without bows — are also available. Be sure to stop by the holiday gift shop to look for treasures and mementos. The mountain views, expansive scenery and provided photo props are the perfect setting for group shots and selfies. With a smaller inventory, they often sell out quickly; we recommend calling ahead!

Photo Courtesy of Jennifer Redmond

Bedford Evergreens Christmas Tree Farm
1893 Robertson Road, Bedford
(540) 580-4613
Friday to Sunday: 12 – 5 pm 

Opening the Friday after Thanksgiving, Bedford Evergreens is truly an old-fashioned Christmas tree farm where families walk through the fields searching for their perfect tree. A tractor and hay wagon follows along on the adventure to bring the tree — and your family — back to your vehicle. You have the choice of actually cutting the tree yourself or simply selecting the tree that is to be cut. The experience is as important as the tree itself!

Ingemont Christmas Tree Farm
1697 Camp Jaycee Road, Blue Ridge
(540) 947-2031
Friday to Sunday: 11 am – 5 pm
Appointment only during the week 

Located at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Ingemont Christmas Tree Farm has more than 45 years of experience growing quality Virginia Christmas trees. White pine, Leyland cypress and Canaan Valley fir are among the varieties grown on the farm. “Tag Day” is the Sunday before Thanksgiving, meaning families come and select their trees. They can take the trees that day or simply tag and return later in the holiday season. They open for weekend hours the Friday after Thanksgiving. Be on the look-out for events to celebrate Ingemont’s 45th anniversary!

Hamill Christmas Tree Farm
3121 King St. NE, Roanoke
Monday to Friday: 11 am – 7 pm
Saturday and Sunday: 10 am – 7 pm 

Open from the day after Thanksgiving until Christmas Eve, Hamill Christmas Tree Farm has acres of choose-and-cut trees and also an expansive lot with pre-cut trees. Santa has even been known to make an appearance! In business for more than 50 years, Hamill has a variety of trees for the family to consider before making their important selection.

Photos Courtesy of Sweet Providence Farm

Sweet Providence Farm
3313 Floyd Highway N, Floyd
(540) 525-8444 | Friday to Sunday: 10 am – 5 pm 

A choose-and-cut farm in Floyd County, Sweet Providence Farm offers Fraser fir, white pine and concolor fir premium trees. At this old-fashioned Christmas tree farm, guests have a choice of picking out the tree and cutting it themselves or picking out the tree and having the farm do the rest of the work. To add charm to the experience, Sweet Providence serves hot chocolate and cookies. Also, for sale are a wide variety of wreaths from small, door-sized wreaths or swags to a wreath big enough to display on the side of a large building. To complete your day of fun, visit the holiday gift shop to discover handmade gifts and other treasures. 

A trip to a Christmas tree farm is about much more than simply bringing home the perfect evergreen. It’s about filling your home with warm memories and the nostalgic joy of the season. Plan your adventure now and start writing your family’s holiday story. 

Nothing sets the holiday mood quite like the scent of a fresh Christmas tree. To make sure your tree stays green and fragrant throughout the holiday season, follow these steps. 

Choose a healthy tree
Examine your tree to make sure you don’t see any brown needles or bald spots. 

Shake off loose needles
Give your tree a few good shakes before you load it up to reduce the shedding once you bring it into your home. 

Wrap your tree for the ride home
This saves the tree from wind damage and keeps branches from drying out too quickly. 

Hydrate immediately
Get your tree into a stand filled with fresh water as soon as possible. A gallon of water is usually best. Keep the stand filled and never let the water drop below the trunk. Once sealed, the tree will stop absorbing as much water. 

Make a fresh cut if necessary
If several hours lapse between cutting the tree at the farm and returning home, simply make a new cut. 

Stick to water
The best thing for a Christmas tree is fresh water. Some old wives’ tales state that adding items such as sugar, soda, aspirin, vinegar or even bleach to the water will maintain freshness. However, forestry and extension services indicate that such concoctions don’t help the tree and may even harm it. It’s best to stick with plain, fresh water. 

Use LED lights
To prevent premature drying, use LED lights which reduce heat on the branches. 

Keep the tree away from heat sources
Cooler temperatures will help the tree stay fresh longer. So, keep the tree away from heating vents, fireplaces and radiators. 

With some tender loving care, your tree will be a lovely and fragrant reminder throughout the holidays of the fun you and your family enjoyed at the Christmas tree farm. ✦