The Thrill of the Hunt!
by Just Add Kids'
Silva Karapetian
Frosted, White, Flocked, Fiber Optic, or Aluminum? What is your Christmas tree memory? Growing up, I always had an artificial Christmas tree. You know the kind, plastic, tree-in-a-box, assembly required, had the smell of being stored in the musty basement for 11 months. I thought it was perfectly normal (and it is!) Then 11 years ago, I realized I married a very lovable, Grizwold-esk man. Read more...
A little back story: My husband’s family has nothing artificial about their Christmas tree. Their gifts are dwarfed under the 15 foot REAL conifer, as wide as it was tall, donned with 1500 lights, depending on the girth. True Christmas bliss! Now this feat never comes to fruition without the usual trip to 3-4 (and once 7) Christmas tree lots. It may have been shortly after that trip to 7 lots that Papa decided to downsize, and came home with an “average” 6 foot tree. Needless to say, that was also the year they had TWO trees. Bringing that beast into the house has turned into an event, with Papa as the foreman of course. I think he even commissioned a special base be made to accommodate this tree!In our attempt to make Christmas memories and start new traditions with our family, we also pile in the car, drive to remote spots and cut down our very own Christmas tree. In 2009 while living in Oklahoma, we followed a guide and set to what we soon realized was a desolate part of the countryside. Dusk was approaching and we were low on gas. We never found the location, didn’t get a tree that day and had to make the difficult decision to turn back before running out of gas and sleeping in the car. During another Oklahoma “winter” we chose a Leyland Cypress Pine. This feathery fir is popular in the south, however, could not withstand many (if any) of our ornaments, not the best Christmas tree. I believe our daughter even cried as Daddy cut the tree down that year.
In the few number of years we have been in pursuit for the perfect Christmas tree, each year (and tree) remains with me. We still have many miles to tread, but I have learned that, as with all we do, it is the steps of the journey that makes the whole memory.
I have compiled a list of “Cut Your Own” Christmas tree farms and lots. I hope you consider starting this tradition. Please note: some of these locations are an hour from Racine (don’t forget to gas up!)
CUT YOUR OWN CHRISTMAS TREES
Bentz Road Farm
6109 85th Street, Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158
Opening Day: Friday, November 27th, 10am - 5pm
Weekends: November 28th & 29th, 10am - 5pm
December Weekends: 5th & 6th, 12th & 13th, 19th & 20th - 10am - 5:30pm
Weekdays (Mon - Fri) - December 1st to 18th , Noon to 4:30pm (self serve baling)
They supply the saw and twine but are no longer able to load your trees on weekdays. An area will be set up for photos in the pavilion. Kids can make a cup of hot chocolate and enjoy the thrill of the hunt for their family tradition!
For more information: Contact Theresa (262) 620-4636
To schedule an appointment if other times are desired or if you'd like to place an order. Private tours can be arranged that include the life cycle of a tree.
Other ways of to contact Bentz:
info@bentzroadfarm.com
https://www.facebook.com/BentzRoadFarm
Buffalo Bill's Christmas Trees
9612 West Oakwood Road, Franklin, WI 53132
Open: November 27th to December 20th
Friday, Saturday and Sunday 9:30 am - 5pm
Monday - Closed
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Farm has you choose and you cut, pre-cut Christmas trees, Christmas wreaths, Christmas boughs, Santa appearances, Christmas decorations, trees bagged, tree shaking provided, trees baled, saws provided, bonfires, free hot chocolate, free hot cider, gift shop, porta-potties, face painting. Friendly pets on a leash welcome to come visit and receive a treat. Kids make a free pinecone ornament in our craft area. Fresh hand made wreaths and custom wreaths made throughout the holiday season on our farm. Payment: cash or check.
For more information: (414)427-5155
Evergreen Acres Christmas Tree Farm
N9171 Nelson Road, East Troy, WI 53120
Open: November 27th and daily until Christmas, 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
Family owned and operated Choose and Cut Your Own Christmas Tree Farm on 33 acres. Everygreen Acres' trees are planted in sod and the fields are mowed to make your walk to find your tree easier. They offer help in the parking lot for shaking, baling and loading your tree as well as help in their heated barn for choosing your special freshly made wreaths and other fine greenery. Staff will also custom decorate a wreath for you if you prefer a special color combination for your home. They will also be happy to help you select a flocked tree in an array of colors. Please order flocked trees a week or more ahead of pick-up. As you browse the freshly made wreaths, garland and flocked trees in the heated barn, you will be treated to a cup of complimentary cocoa or cider. If you have children with you, they may be interested in Evergreen Acres' small sledding hill, weather providing. Payment: cash or check.
For more information: (262)495-4502
ann@evergreenacresllc.com
Noffke Tree Farms
10341 N. Granville Rd, Mequon, WI 53097
Open Thanksgiving Weekend until December 20th for Christmas Tree Sales, Friday to Sunday, 9am - 7pm
“Choose and Cut” Until Dusk (Weather permitting)
While visiting their 47 acre tree farm in Mequon, you can “CHOOSE & CUT” your own tree, or select a “PRE-CUT” tree from their huge selection of trees grown on their farm. They also have quality made “WREATHS” and hand-cut boughs. Come in and warm up in the indoor shop. You can enjoy a cup of hot chocolate or apple cider or shop for a special ornament or gift. Don’t worry if you pick out a tree that’s too big, they’ll shake and wrap the tree for ease of transportation.
For more information: (262)242-5157
info@noffketrees.com
Richardson Adventure Farm
9407 Richardson Road, Spring Grove, IL 60081
Open daily to December 23rd, 9am - 6pm
Choose and harvest your own Christmas Tree. Richardson has over 50,000 trees of many varieties and sizes spread over 75 acres. Their spacious, heated sales barn has indoor restrooms and friendly people to assist you. On weekends, enjoy a free wagon ride to and from the fields and they'll even haul your tree for you! When you get back, they will shake your tree to get the loose needles out and bale it in plastic netting to keep it manageable for the ride to your home. Your tree is tagged and you receive a numbered receipt to preserve the identity of the tree while you go inside to enjoy a free hot chocolate or coffee. There are hundreds of fresh wreaths and decorations inside for sale along with fresh, homemade donuts. The majority of their wreaths, garland, decorations and bows are made on the Richardson farm. Custom orders welcomed.
For more information: (815) 675-9729
https://www.facebook.com/richardsonfarmexperience
Sugar Creek Christmas Tree Farm
N6447 Church Rd, Burlington, WI 53105
Opening Day: Friday, November 27th to Christmas Eve Hours daily: 8:00 am - Dark
The Chesky family invites you to Cut Your Own Christmas Tree this year at our beautiful farm in the Sugar Creek valley. It's like an escape to the north woods conveniently located in southeast Wisconsin. Start a new tradition! Sugar Creek Tree Farm is family owned and operated and is located in southeast Wisconsin near Alpine Valley. The farm is 32 acres and there are thousands of beautiful trees available for your selection. Our scenic wilderness location is our specialty and we have great trees, friendly service and low prices.
For more information: (262) 767-1177
contact@sugarcreektreefarm.com
Trees for Less Nursery (2 locations)
11550 N. Wasaukee Rd, Mequon
Open 7 days a week 8am - dark
2123 E. River Rd, Grafton
Open from 8am - 4pm, Saturdays and Sundays
Tarps and saws are available or they will cut the tree for you. Free tree netting and loading. Scenic hayrides to choose and cut field. Hot chocolate, snacks and more. Enjoy their toasty fire pit and live music (weekends only).
For more information: (262) 242-7522 (Mequon), (262)573-7206 (Grafton)
info@treesforless.com
Valley View Tree Farm
W798 Valley View Rd, Burlington, WI 53105
Open Friday, Saturday & Sunday; 9 AM - 4 PM, weekdays
When you come to the farm check in at the office. There are no pre-cut trees. Directions and a saw are given, then you are able to walk the around 5 acres. When you find the perfect one you cut it down and drag it to Valley View's shaker where they shake and bale the trees complimentary. Twine is provided. Indoor restroom for those who need it. Pets are welcome on a leash. A small gift shop with ornaments, some items for kids, stands and tree bags. Centerpieces and small arrangements available for purchase. Complimentary hot chocolate offered. Kids can feed the chickens. There are no roosters so the chickens are all friendly. Fresh farm eggs available. Sledding hill and sleds available if there is snow.
For more information: contact Brian & Denise Stankus, (262)210-7235
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