When I think back to my favourite Christmas memories, they’re usually not Christmas Day memories. My favourite holiday memories are the ones leading up to the day that are steeped in tradition: from cheesy movies, making gingerbread houses, Christmas baking, and shopping at markets, it’s the whole season leading up to the 25th that creates the best memories. And the best out of all of those? Picking out and decorating the Christmas tree.
The Christmas tree is the focal point of the season. It’s where you gather together on Christmas day to celebrate together. It’s where you take the yearly holiday family photo. So it makes sense that a yearly tradition for so many families is to make a whole day out of going out into a winter wonderland farm, picking out the tree, chopping it down, bringing it home, and decorating it together while the Christmas music blasts throughout the house.
If you’re one of the families who do this, or if you’re looking to start, you’ll probably want to know what are the best Christmas Tree Farms out there. Well, we’ve done the work for you. Take a look at what your options are and learn a little more about each Tree Farm.
TREE LANE FARMS
Tree Lane Farms offer U-Cut Trees at one price, regardless of the size of the tree. Those trees come in White Spruce, White Pine, and Canaan Fir. They shake and wrap every tree. They have handsaws to use or you can bring your own.
They also offer Pre-Cut Trees. They come in a variety of prices, based on variety and size. The tree types come in a premium Fraser Fir, Fralsam, Canaan Fir, and Spruce. These trees also will be shaken and wrapped at no extra cost to you.
Their retail store offers unique Christmas gifts, stunning home decor, and festive everything! It feels like you’ve stepped into the North Pole when you enter their store!
NOTE: This year things look a little different. Because of COVID, there is a limited customer capacity for the farm, so you’re required to book your visit ahead of time. (Although passes are not required to shop at the retail store!) Learn more here.
Tree Lane Farms is the perfect place to go to with the family. They have wagon rides, campfires, as well as reindeer and alpacas! If you’ve got kids, make sure to head to Activity Acres where there are slides, a train, strawbale mountains, a medal cart, tug of war, slingshot games, swings, and even farm hoppers!
SLOAN'S VILLAGE
Sloan’s Village has beautiful trees and you’re sure to find the perfect Christmas tree for your home there, but Sloan’s is more about the activities when families go to visit. Sloan has two villages offering amazing attractions for the family.
Village 1
Warm-up by campfires and on weekends, check out their food vendors! Take the family to the petting zoo to enjoy live animals. Get the little ones excited about the mini train ride. Have some family fun with the Family Obstacle Course and the Family Portrait Tree. There is also a giant swing, Jacob’s LAdder, a slingshot, broomball, mazes, treehouses and playgrounds, as well as a sand mountain. Your family will have a day of fun that they’ll never forget.
Village 2
Warm-up by campfires. Take a ride on the Village Train Express. Say hi to animals at the petting zoo! Enjoy pony rides and peddle cards. Explore and climb over the sand mountain and Big Bale Fortress. Feel a thrill on the zip-lines and get active playing broomball.
NOTE: Due to COVID, customers will be asked to light their own fires and there will be no candle making, craft making, or cookie cabin.
APPLELAND STATION
Head to Appleland Station’s Christmas Tree Barn for pre-cut Fraser Fir trees. Of course, Appleland Station is known as a wonderful family destination. Hop on the Appleland Station Christmas Train and head to Santa’s cabin in the middle of the orchard. Children get to receive a special treat and a keepsake ticket. They can meet Santa during the Christmas Open House. Or head to Dickens’ Village and hear one of the classic’s read out loud. Kids can enjoy climbing Sand Mountain and the swings. And families can warm up by bonfires.
While you’re there, check out their store where you can find unique gifts for those on your list. Make sure to hit up their bakery where they have the most amazing pies, savoury delights, and sweet treats!
COUNTRY CHRISTMAS TREES
Country Christmas Trees has been in business for over 35 years. Due to COVID, this is the first year that they’re offering contactless delivery! They offer both pre-cut and u-cut trees, with prices based on the height and type of the tree.
If you plan to cut down your own tree, they have a saw if you don’t have one of your own (although this year it’s probably a good idea to make sure to bring your own) and even have baler twine (which is quite strong) in case you need it.
They offer plenty of different tree varieties: Norway Spruce, White Spruce, Blue Spruce, White Pine, Scotch Pine, Fraser Fir, and Balsam Fir. They also offer discounted trees that are meant to go against a corner!
For non-tree related items, you can find logs, wreaths, arrangements, and swags (which are a great alternative to wreaths). They also offer a unique item: Christmas Gnomes! Christmas Gnomes are a mini tree outfitted with a gnome hat and “face” which makes for a festive and fun porch accessory!
NOTE: They only accept cash, so you’ll want to keep that in mind when you head over. If you’re doing delivery, they offer e-transfers only.
VANDERKLOOSTER CHRISTMAS TREES
Vanderklooster Christmas Trees offers both pre-cut and u-cut trees for your home! Their farm is spacious and they are happy to offer advice on taking care of your tree and what kind of tree to get, based on how heavy your ornaments are, and more! Your four-legged friends are also welcomed, as long as they’re leashed! Plus, with every tree sale, Vanderklooster Christmas Trees donates $1 to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or the BBB Canine Rescue.
For pre-cut trees, they offer Fraser Fir and Balsam Firs. For u-cut trees, they also have White Pine, White Spruce, Serbian Spruce, and Blue Spruce. Along with the trees they also sell plain wreaths, decorated wreaths, and Christmas urns! They offer free services with every tree purchase: shaking, bailing, and tree bags!
NOTE: Due to COVID, this year they will not be offering their hot cider or candy canes.
DUNN'S CHRISTMAS TREES
Dunn’s is a family-owned and operated Christmas Tree Farm and have been since 1992. They offer both pre-cut and u-cut trees. If you’re looking to go the u-cut route, they do have hand-saws for those who do not have their own or can also cut it down for you if you’d prefer. They also will shake your trees to remove excess debris and provide you with twine to tie down your tree!
They have multiple tree varieties, including Norway Spruce, Fraser Fir, Blue Spruce, Balsam Fir, and Pine. Along with trees, they offer Christmas baskets, planters, potted trees and decorated potted trees. They also accept custom orders so if you have something in mind, give them a call and they’ll see what they can do!
On weekends they have hot chocolate and candy canes for kids!
NOTE: Make sure to have cash on hand as they don’t take credit or debit!
TREEHUGGERS
Treehuggers is a Tree Farm and Gift Store! They’ve been a family-owned and operated business since 2002.
While Treehuggers doesn’t offer a u-cut experience, it’s still a great place for a magical family holiday tradition. Each year they bring in fresh pre-cut trees for you to choose from instead. Their trees are from 6 to 9 feet tall and come in either Fraser Fir, Balsam Fir or Serbian Spruce variety.
Enjoy complimentary hot chocolate and cookies while you tour the farm and find your perfect Christmas Tree. Feel free to also enjoy a walk through the woods, which is especially pretty when it’s blanket in fresh white snow.
Treehuggers also offer fresh farm eggs and freshly grown garlic as well! Their gift store is located in a renovated old barn and is the perfect place to pick up unique gifts for those on your Christmas list. They work with several local vendors to sell their artisan wares and goods. You can find everything from pottery, glassware, quilts, and candles, to cheeses, maple syrup, preserves and jewellery!
LEO'S TREE FARM
Leo’s Tree Farm is a family-owned and operated business. They’ve been passionately growing and selling quality trees and crafting a magical Christmas experience for families for over 20 years.
They offer both pre-cut and u-cut trees. Their tree selection includes Fraser Fir, Blue Spruce, White Pine, Scotch Pine, White Spruce, and Concolour Fir. Ask them about what type of tree would be best for you, as they’re well versed in textures, needle dropping, scents, the strength of branches for ornaments, and how finicky they are to take care of for each variety. Their trees are one set price, no matter the size.
Head over to the charming, rustic, and HEATED shack to enjoy free hot chocolate while you find the PERFECT tree to bring home. You can also enjoy free chestnut roasting (just like in the song!) The chestnuts are grown and harvested on Chestnut Trees right on their farm!
Decorative swags and the materials to make your own. They also often have events like DIY Christmas planters and petting zoos come through so keep an eye on their social media for extra special days to visit.
While you’re at Leo’s Tree Farm take the family on a relaxing and magical nature walk through their farm. You’ll be able to see all kinds of trees including the incredible Native American Trail Marker Tree which is a large, 300+-year-old tree that has a funny, huge bend in it! Native Americans used to make these trees to easily point out trails, meeting points, and landmarks. If you have a four-legged member of the family, you’re welcomed to bring them along too, as long as they’re leashed!
NOTE: Make sure to bring cash, and exact change is preferred to help limit interactions due to COVID.
LINKER'S U CUT CHRISTMAS TREES AND LIVE REINDEER
They have U-cut tree options in many different sizes in Scotch Pine and Balsam Fir. They also offer pre-cut Korean Firs. If you’ve forgotten about the tree stand or need a new one, don’t worry they’ve got you covered there as well. They also offer complimentary tree-shaking and bailing for mess-tree and easy transportation.
Linker’s has hot chocolate on weekends. Kids will love checking out the live reindeer and even have the opportunity to feed them. The reindeer, Olive, Ivy, and Sven, make for an especially memorable day of tree-picking.
