Fox Valley tree sales

It's the holiday season and time to think about securing the family's Christmas tree.

There are various venues in the Fox Valley, including cut-your-own and ready-to-go tree lots.

Cary-Grove Jaycees tree sales: The Cary-Grove Jaycees 38th Annual Christmas Tree Sale begins Saturday. Trees, including fresh Fraser firs and balsams, are on sale starting at $30 at the Algonquin township building, on Route 14 just north of Three Oaks Road.

The lot will be open 6 to 9 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays until all trees have been sold.

Tree sale at Grafelman Park: The Dundee Township Lions Club has volunteered to host the annual Christmas tree sale. The Christmas tree sale will be held today until the trees are sold out. The sale will be held in the tennis courts at Grafelman Park, off Main Street in West Dundee.

Balsams, white pines and Fraser firs will be on sale. Pine wreaths and garland will be on sale as well. Prices are $35 to $80.

Proceeds will benefit FISH Food Pantry, the Boys and Girls Club of Dundee Township, Community Crisis Center and Dundee Lions Club projects. This year's Christmas tree lot will open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today. After the first day, lot hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays. For information, e-mail Mike@clydesdonuts.com.

Larkin Center tree sale: For the 11th consecutive year, The Larkin Center is featuring Windy Hill Christmas Tree Farm of Wisconsin on the front lawn of its campus, 1212 Larkin Ave. in Elgin. Five varieties of Christmas trees ranging from 4 to 20 feet, as well as boughs, bows, and wreaths, are available through Dec. 20. A portion of the tree sales benefits the center. For details, call (847) 695-5656, ext. 217.

Ziegler's Christmas Tree Farm: Ziegler's Christmas Tree Farm will open today and then every Saturday and Sunday until sold out. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The farm is at 42W109 McDonald Road, about 5 miles west of Randall Road in Elgin.

Blue spruce and balsam fir, as well as Austrian, Scotch and white pine, will be available up to 10 feet tall. Prices range from $15 to $60. Saws available; free shaking and baling.

Also available are various sizes of handmade wreaths, three types of garland, crafts and ornaments available in the gift shop. For details or tree update, call (847) 464-5776

Honey Bee Acres: HoneyBee Acres Christmas Tree Farm will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Fridays through Sundays, today through December. The farm is at 41W072 Bowes Road, about 4.5 miles west of Randall Road in Elgin.

All pine trees are $39 for any size; fir and spruce trees are $49 for any size. Wreaths, garland and U.S.A.-made tree stands are also available. Most major credit cards are accepted as well as cash or checks.

Bow saws are available as well as tree carts to haul your tree out. No axes or chainsaws may be used. Free shaking and baling are offered with the purchase of a tree, as well as assistance with tree tying. Bring a blanket for the top of the car.

Free hot apple cider and cookies with a tree purchase. In addition to the warming house with fireplace, there will be indoor parking for inclement weather. As the farm has horses, chickens and turkeys, do not bring your dog along for the ride. For details, call (847) 464-9627.

Pine*Apple Acres: Red, white and Scotch pines, Norway and Blue spruce, Douglas, concolor and Fraser firs are offered at Pine*Apple Acres, 41W651 Powers Road, a mile north on Route 47 from I-90 Northwest Tollway, then a quarter-mile east on Powers Road in Huntley. All prices include tax, shaking and baling. The farm is open 10 a.m. to dusk (4 p.m.) Tuesdays through Sundays, today through Dec. 16. For details, call (847) 669-3251 or visit www.geocities.com/ pineapple_acres.

Pine-Apple Farm: Scotch pines, Black Hills and Colorado Blue spruce, Douglas and pre-cut Fraser firs are available at Pine-Apple Farm, 309 Three Oaks Road, Cary. Also available are fresh wreaths and tree stands. Saws, shaking, netting, and twine are provided. Open 9 a.m. to dusk beginning today, then 9 a.m. to dusk Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 25. Make special appointments by phone; call (847) 639-3248 or visit www.pine-applefarm.com.

Oney's Tree Farm: Austrian, Scotch and white pines, Norway, blue, white and green spruce, concolor and Fraser firs, and Serbian spruce are available, as well as pre-cut balsam and Fraser firs, at Oney's Tree Farm, 16608 Route 14, Woodstock. Cut-your-own trees are priced at $49 for 4- to 9-foot pines; $125 for 10- to 15-foot pines; and $60 for 4- to 9-foot firs. Precut trees range from $60-$150. Also available are fresh wreaths, garland and centerpieces, balled and burlapped trees 4 to 6 feet tall from $69-$125. Saws are provided, along with free shaking and baling. There are live reindeer. Visit the gift shop in the historic barn. Weekends feature horse-drawn wagon rides and pony rides from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit Mrs. Claus in her North Pole house from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Also offered are homemade hot cinnamon rolls, hot sandwiches, nachos and popcorn. The tree farm is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily today through Dec. 9. For details, call (815) 338-4108 or visit www.oneystreefarm.com.

Christmas trees at Marmion: Starting today through Dec. 23, Marmion Abbey's fields will be open for those who enjoy the tradition of hunting through the pines and spruces to cut down their own Christmas tree. Marmion has thousands of trees available for $30 each daily from 9 a.m. to dusk. The Marmion tree farm is on Butterfield Road, about five miles west of Junction 59 and 56 and half-mile from I-88. Exit at Farnsworth-north and turn left on Butterfield.

Come early in the season to avoid the big snows. Be prepared with warm clothing, gloves and boots. Bring a small bow saw or borrow one for a deposit of $10, which will be credited to the cost of the tree when returned.

Along with Christmas trees, wreaths handmade by Marmion students and staff are sold at the tree farm. Volunteers make the wreaths from fresh pine boughs from the fields. All profits from the wreath sale go to help the poor through local charities.

When you buy a Marmion tree you help support the community at Marmion Abbey and their various ministries. Visit the Abbey Tree Farm Web site at www.marmion.org/trees to download a flyer and map of the tree farm. For information, call (630) 897-3011 for a recorded message.