Where to cut your own Christmas tree in the suburbs
Six generations have worked at Richardson Christmas Tree Farm in Spring Grove, and co-owner George Richardson says fresh-cut Christmas trees are more popular than ever.
“They're really in right now with Millennials who are looking for a renewable, sustainable source for their Christmas tree,” he said. “They're 100% recyclable, being a totally natural product.”
Along with being environmentally friendly, taking a trip to a farm and choosing from thousands of trees from different species with their own look, feel and scent can make a fun day trip for the whole family. Many farms provide wagon rides, hot drinks and gift-buying opportunities to make the visit more of an event.
“It's all about the experience and making some memories around choosing that Christmas tree,” Richardson said. “We're really happy when people form a family tradition around this.”
These local farms will help make your holidays even more special, whether you just visit once or make it an annual event.
Abbey Farms
2855 Hart Road, Aurora, (630) 966-7775 or abbeyfarms.org
Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Dec. 23
Trees: Cut your own Scotch, white or Austrian pine for $55 or spruce and firs for $68 for up to eight feet. Precut trees up to 12 feet cost $10.50 per foot.
Also: Tree shaking, tie-down assistance, an apple cider doughnut and hot chocolate are included with a purchase, and saws can be rented for $10. You can also buy fir garland for $2 per foot and pick up ornaments, toys, jams, mustards and other potential gifts from the farmstead store. Photos with Santa are available for $10-$20 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 29-Dec. 1, Dec. 7-8 and 14-15.
Ben's Christmas Tree Farm
7719 Ryan Road, Harvard, (630) 279-0216 or benstreefarm.com
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Nov. 29 to Dec. 15
Trees: Choose from eight varieties of trees, including Norway spruce, white pine and balsam fir, for $6.25 to $9.25 per foot.
Also: Saws, twine, tree-tying assistance, shaking, bailing, and tractor or horse-drawn wagon rides to and from the field are provided. You can visit Santa and farm animals, and warm up with complimentary hot chocolate and coffee. Handmade Fraser fir wreaths and garlands are available for purchase. Leashed pets are welcome.
Grandpa's Christmas Tree Farm
13616 Route 176, Woodstock, (815) 337-2682 or grandpastreefarm.com
Hours: 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Nov. 29-Dec. 1 and Dec. 7-8
Trees: Choose from thousands of pine trees of every shape and size for $65 each. Most are five to six feet tall.
Also: Tractor-drawn wagon rides to the forest are included, along with hot chocolate, coffee, saws and twine.
Kuipers Family Farm
1N318 Watson Road, Maple Park, (815) 827-5200 or kuipersfamilyfarm.com
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Dec. 15
Trees: While cut-your-own trees are limited, there's a huge selection of precut Fraser firs.
Also: Trees are baled and shaken and purchases include an apple cider doughnut for everyone in the group. A bakery offers fruit pies and other food gifts. Photos with Santa are available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 1 and 8.
Larson's Family Farm
4404 Somonauk Road, Sandwich, (815) 786-2249 or larsonfamilyfarm.com
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 29 and Saturdays and Sundays, and 2 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday through Dec. 15
Trees: Choose from 18 acres of Canaan and white fir, blue and Norway spruce, and Scotch and white pine for $42.
Also: Saws are provided and trees are shaken for free and bailed for $1. Wreaths are available for $15-$35 and evergreen roping is $2 per foot. A barn store also sells vintage decorations, hot apple cider and cookies.
Nature's Best Christmas Tree Farm
13001 IL-76, Poplar Grove, (815) 505-3377 or naturesbesttrees.com
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Nov. 29 to Dec. 15
Trees: Short-needled firs, spruces and white pines are $10 per foot. You can cut your own or have a staff member do it for you.
Also: Shaking and baling is included. Wreaths, garland and honey are available for purchase.
Oney's Tree Farm
16608 Route 14, Woodstock, (815) 338-4108 or oneystreefarm.com
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, Nov. 29 to Dec. 15
Trees: Visit the 60-acre farm and pick from its 60,000 trees in nine varieties, including Douglas fir, white pine and Colorado spruce. Cut your own through Dec. 8 or get a precut one through Dec. 15. Five- to nine-foot trees cost $75; $10 more per additional foot. Trees under five feet cost $50.
Also: Take a free horse-drawn wagon ride from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and visit the bakery for hot cinnamon rolls, hot cocoa, ornaments and garland. Pony rides and visits with Mrs. Claus are also available. Tree shaking and netting are free.
Pioneer Tree Farm
4614 Pioneer Road, McHenry, (815) 385-8512 or pioneertreefarm.net
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 29 and Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 22
Trees: Cut your own pines, spruces, cedars and firs for $60.
Also: Wagon rides to and from the trees, tree shaking and baling, handsaws, coffee and hot cocoa are all provided. Handcrafted holiday items will be available for purchase. Leashed dogs are welcome.
Richardson Christmas Tree Farm
9407 Richardson Road, Spring Grove, (815) 675-9729 or richardsonadventurefarm.com
Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, Nov. 29 to Dec. 23
Trees: Choose from 50,000 trees in many varieties spread across 75 acres. Cut your own trees for $75. Precut trees up to 12 feet are individually priced.
Also: Hot chocolate, coffee, tree shaking and baling, and handsaws are free every day. On the weekends, you can take free wagon rides to the trees and buy freshly made doughnuts and kettle corn. Wreaths, garlands and decorations also are available for purchase. Leashed dogs are welcome.
Spring Bluff Nursery
41W130 Norris Road, Sugar Grove, (630) 466-4278 or springbluffnursery.com
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 29 and Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 15
Trees: Cut your own tree or choose from a selection of precut firs.
Also: Hayrides are provided to the trees and you can warm up with hot chocolate by the fire. Handmade wreaths, ceramics, soaps and soy candles and firewood also are available to purchase. Leashed dogs are welcome.