4 Christmas Tree Farms for Last-Minute Shopping
Discover > Best Of Texas > 4 Christmas Tree Farms for Last-Minute Shopping
If you’re anything like me, then you’re probably in a last-minute frenzy to get your Christmas tree up! Setting up your Christmas tree is a festive tradition that brings together friends and family, each with their own creativity and ornaments. A tree that spends over a month being fussed and obsessed over, has to be one that brightens up your space and ignites the cheery Christmas vibe.
As Christmas tree shopping in Texas reaches its peak, so does the conversation around the sustainability of this tradition. Is the inner eco-activist in you bothered about all the felling? But, would it really be Christmas without the fragrance of a lush Pine? Is a plastic tree a better option than a real one? But, isn’t plastic the root of all evils? Let’s find out!
Firstly, real Christmas trees are grown in lands that usually aren’t fit for growing other valuable crops or plants. They are 100% recyclable, can be mulched for landscaping, or turned into wood chips. Most people, however, choose to burn the tree in order to dispose of it, creating carbon dioxide in the process. Yet, some experts say that the amount of CO2 absorbed by the tree during its lifetime is greater than what it releases upon being burned.
Artificial Christmas trees are mostly manufactured using PVC and are generally imported from countries such as China. On the upside, these trees can be used till the time they get damaged or lose their appeal, somewhere between 5-10 years on average. However, once disposed of, artificial trees stay in the ecosystem for hundreds of years and add to the ever-growing plastic waste crisis. Not to mention, the carbon footprint involved in the transport of these trees is quite steep.
So, where does that land us? Shopping a local, Texan-grown, real tree and disposing of it in a responsible manner seems to make the most sustainable sense. Most waste collection systems in communities offer curbside pickup of trees and other living decorations to be transported to recycling centers. Check out this city-wise listing to find your local service.
Your Christmas tree is also a great and economical source of mulch for your backyard. Cut up the branches, add them to the base of your compost pit, and cover them with other natural waste for nutrient-rich mulch. If you have access to a chipper, chopped trunk logs make for aesthetic pathway edging or even firewood for camping trips.
Another good idea would be to go small and purchase a tabletop version of a Christmas tree that would be much easier to dispose of or recycle. Many local stores and Christmas tree farms offer tabletop trees as well. If you have space on your property and a few years’ worth of patience, then plant a potted tree in your backyard and deck it up each Christmas as it grows. Talk about giving back to nature!
Now that we’ve brainstormed some creative ideas of how you can make the most of your Christmas tree, here are four farms that are *still* selling real Christmas trees in Texas for all of us last-minuters!
Walls Family Farm
Established in 1964, Walls Family Farm is among the most-loved Christmas tree farms in Dallas. They started with pecans (how long do pecans last?) and soon added Christmas trees and blackberries to their product range. Today, the Walls Family Farms hosts annual Cut Your Own Tree hayrides along with an extended goodie range such as wreaths, t-shirts, ornaments, candles, and candied pecans for sale.
Christmas trees are priced at $8 a ft with free shaking and baling. Once you’ve picked out your tree, you’ll get all the help you need for a smooth ride home. A new playground and picnic area can entertain the kids while the friendly staff help you with your selection. Make sure you carry cash or checks, and don’t forget to check their Facebook page for updates before you visit!
Pricing: Starting from $15
Sale timing: 9am - 5pm, Friday - Sunday
Location: 11047 Co Rd 2312, Terrell, TX 75160
Kadee Christmas Tree Farm
Kadee Christmas Tree Farm is another family-run operation located in Greenville, Texas, offering locally-grown, as well as imported, trees. Steeped in an American rustic atmosphere, the farm hosts plenty of entertaining family activities all through the year, and ramps it up around Christmas time. Sip on some hot cider or hot chocolate, roast some s’mores on a bonfire - there’s lots to do here! The farm is accessible for those with mobility issues, and pet-friendly, so no one misses out on the fun.
But, what about the trees? Kadee Christmas Tree Farm is here for your last-minute tree shopping with its vast collection of pre-cut trees. While you are there, check out the weekend Christmas Light Show from 5:30 pm – 8 pm, for an entry fee of $8.
Pricing: $45-$299
Sale timing: 10am - 8pm, Monday - Sunday
Location: 5054 Highway 69 S. Greenville, TX, US 75402
Old Time Christmas Tree Farm
Picture lush Virginia Pines, Leyland Cypress, and several other Christmas trees across 30 acres of farmland. That’s Old Time Christmas Tree Farm for you! This family-run farm located in Spring has a history of selling locally-grown trees for over several decades now and remains a favorite for many locals to this day.
You can choose to cut your own Pine or Cypress tree or purchase a pre-cut Fraser Fir or Black Hills Spruce. The farm also sells fresh wreaths and garlands, tree stands, and accessories for your convenience. Several festive attractions such as the Christmas train ride or the petting zoo make the drive out here a fun one for the kiddos.
The farm is open daily from 9 am – 5:30 pm for sales, while the attractions are available on the weekend. Check the farm’s Facebook page for recent updates before you head out!
Pricing: Varied
Sale timing: 9am - 5:30pm, Monday - Sunday
Location: 7632 Spring Cypress Road, Spring, TX 77379
Bois D’arc Christmas Tree Farm
If you’re on the lookout for freshly grown “100% organic specialty trees” in Texas, we recommend a road trip to Bois D’arc. Located in the small community of Telephone, folks at Bois D’arc started out raising Texan Longhorns, and soon after began growing Christmas trees on their farmland.
The farm is open for tree sales from Friday – Sunday, 10 am - 6 pm until sold out. The Christmas trees here are grown without any pesticides, herbicides, or chemical fertilizers, making them safe for family members with allergies and reducing environmental impact. These locally-grown trees have a lower carbon footprint compared to ones that are transported in from other states. If you are tight on space and are looking for a tabletop Christmas tree, you can purchase one here for $70.
Pricing: $100-$180
Sale timing: By appointment
Location: Visit the website for an accurate address
Note: Unfortunately, Bois D’arc sold out their Christmas Trees shortly after publishing. If you are looking to source some Christmas decor and goodies, the gift shop at the farm offers specialty items such as candied pecans, banana nut bread, pecan pies, jellies, spreads, and more. We suggest contacting them at (214) 668-9852 before you head out!
Have you shopped from these farms before? Or does your family have a favorite Texan Christmas Tree Farm tradition? Let us know in the comments below!
