Cutting your own Christmas tree in 'burbs 'all about creating memories'

It's time to find that artificial Christmas tree in the garage and drag it into the living room.

Or is it?

Local tree farmers say that heading out to a farm and cutting your own Christmas tree can create holiday memories that last a lifetime. Your tree will be fresher, too, and more fragrant.

Chris Czarnowski of Ben's Christmas Tree Farm in Harvard said that choosing and cutting your own tree is “a family experience — a whole day in the country together.”

“We have people who came here as kids, who are now bringing their own children here,” he said. “It's all about creating memories.”

Kimberly Kuipers of Kuipers Family Farm in Maple Park agreed.

“We see families that make a whole day out of getting their tree,” she said. “They all arrive together. Some even dress up and wear Santa hats. It's a good family day together, and that makes that tree even more special for them.”

Tim Norris of Spring Bluff Nursery in Sugar Grove, whose father started the business after World War II, said that choosing a tree from a farm “helps to support the shop local/buy local movement.

“Many trees at the tree lots come all the way from Oregon or Michigan,” he said. “But our trees are Sugar Grove-grown trees. And a freshly cut tree can last two months.”

Norris added that cutting your own tree is “a great way to get some fresh air, see some scenery and make some memories.”

Here are a few suburban Christmas tree farms where visitors can cut their own trees and make some of those holiday memories too.

Abbey Farms

Where: 2855 Hart Road, Aurora

Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily through Wednesday, Dec. 23.

Trees: You-cut pine field trees, ranging from 5 to 9 feet, are $45 each. Pre-cut fir trees, from 6 to 13 feet, are $8.50 per foot.

Also: Pine Tree Cafe open. Santa Claus visits from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, and Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 12-13. Gift shop offers crafts and baked goods. A $10 saw rental fee is refundable. Leashed pets are welcome. (630) 966-7775 or abbeyfarms.org.

Ben's Christmas Tree Farm

Where: 7719 Ryan Road, Harvard

Hours: 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Fridays and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Sunday, Dec. 20.

Trees: Scotch pine, Norway spruce, white pine, Frasier fir, Canaan fir, Balsam fir, Colorado blue spruce, white spruce and Englemann spruce are available. Pines are $6 per foot. Firs and spruces are $9 per foot. All of Ben's trees are organic and pesticide-free.

Also: Farm provides saws and horse-drawn wagon rides to the fields, along with free shaking and baling. Other farm highlights include barnyard animals, wreaths and garlands for sale and appearances by Santa Claus. Complimentary hot chocolate. Cash or checks accepted. (630) 279-0216 or benstreefarm.com.

Kuipers Family Farm

Where: 1N318 Watson Road, Maple Park

Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Monday, Dec. 21.

Trees: Cut-you-own and pre-cut trees available. Cut-your-own firs are priced up to $84. Cut-your-own pines (limited selection) are priced to $49. Pre-cut firs are individually priced.

Also: Tree shaking and baling, assistance attaching tree to car and one free apple cider doughnut for everyone in a visiting party included with a tree purchase. Cash and credit cards accepted. (815) 827-5200 or kuipersfamilyfarm.com.

Larson's Family Farm

Where: 4404 Somonauk Road, Sandwich

Hours: 2 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, closed Mondays, through Saturday, Dec. 19.

Trees: Varieties include Canaan fir, Concolor fir, Douglas fir, Norway spruce, Scotch pine and white pine. All Christmas trees are $37.

Also: Evergreen wreaths are available for purchase for $14 to $32. Cash and checks only. (815) 786-2249 or larsonfamilyfarm.com.

Nature's Best Christmas Tree Farm

Where: 13001 Hwy. 76, Poplar Grove

Hours: 8 a.m. to dark (about 5 p.m.) Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and 2:30 p.m. to dark Mondays through Thursdays through Sunday, Dec. 13.

Trees: Variety of trees includes Frasier fir, Canaan fir, Concolor fir, Douglas fir, Black Hills spruce, Norway spruce and white pine. All spruce and fir trees are $10 per foot. All white pine are $8 per foot.

Also: Farm offers handmade wreaths, garlands and other items. Leashed dogs are welcome. Cash, checks and credit cards accepted. (815) 765-2960 or naturesbesttrees.com.

Oney's

Where: 16608 Route 14, Woodstock

Hours: Christmas Festival runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through Sunday, Dec. 13. Fields close at 3:30 p.m.

Trees: Varieties of trees include Frasier fir, Concolor fir, Douglas fir, Austrian pine, white pine, Scotch pine, Colorado spruce, Norway spruce and Serbian spruce. You-cut pine trees from 5 feet to 9 feet cost $55; you-cut spruce and firs from 5 feet to 9 feet are $65. Trees under 5 feet are $30. Pre-cut trees are also available for purchase.

Also: Free shaking and netting of trees. Browse for holiday gifts in the historic barn's gift shop, and enjoy treats in the bake shop. Free horse-drawn wagon rides, a pony ring and visits with Mrs. Claus on weekends. Cash, local checks and credit cards accepted. (815) 338-4108 or oneystreefarm.com.

Pioneer Tree Farm

Where: 4614 Pioneer Road, McHenry

Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Sunday, Dec. 20.

Trees: A variety of trees, all organically grown and pruned by hand, are offered. Pines, spruces, firs and cedars. Trees are $50; any variety or size. Ten percent of tree sales will be donated to the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County.

Also: Farm offers wagon rides, shaking and baling of trees, and coffee and cocoa in the warming house. Hand saws provided for those who need one. Guests are asked not to bring chain saws or axes. Shop for handcrafted holiday items. Leashed dogs welcome outdoors. Cash or checks accepted; no credit cards. (815) 385-8512 or pioneertreefarm.com.

Richardson Adventure Farm

Where: 9407 Richardson Road, Spring Grove

Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Wednesday, Dec. 23.

Trees: All cut-your-own trees are $65. Pre-cut trees available up to 12 feet (individually priced). Douglas fir, Scotch pine, white pine, Frasier fir, blue spruce, Canaan fir and Concolor fir.

Also: Free hot chocolate and coffee offered daily, along with free shaking and baling of trees. On the weekends, guests can take free wagon rides. Cash, checks and credit cards accepted. (815) 675-9729 or richardsonadventurefarm.com.

Spring Bluff Nursery

Where: 41 W. 130 Norris Road, Sugar Grove

Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Sunday, Dec. 13.

Trees: All sizes and types of trees are $50.

Also: Visitors can also purchase handmade wreaths, garlands and other Christmas decorations. Free hayrides to the farm's Christmas Tree Hill. Saws are provided. Spring Bluff staff will help unload, wrap and mount trees to vehicles. Free hot chocolate and a campfire. Dogs welcome. Pay with cash, check or credit card. (630) 466-4278 or springbluffnursery.com.

Sullivan Family Tree Farm

Where: 24774 Petite Lake Road, Lake Villa

Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Sunday, Dec. 20.

Trees: You-cut Scotch pines, white pines and white spruce trees, any size, cost $45. Pre-cut Balsam and Canaan firs (up to 15 feet) are $45 to $130.

Also: Saws, twine and netting provided. Free hayrides. Leashed dogs welcome. Cash or checks accepted. (847) 989-3092 or facebook.com/sullivan-family-tree-farm.