Added on December 9, 2013 News News

Christmas Tree Farms and Local Sales

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Have you gotten your Christmas tree yet? If you’re still looking for the perfect tree, there are many options available whether you want a pre-cut tree or you want to cut your own. The following is a list of nearby options that would be perfect for a family outing.

1) The Men’s Club tree sale

Pre-cut trees are $35 and they even deliver within the village, if needed. Granted, this is not a tree farm, but it is hard to argue with a non-profit group that supports so many worthy causes in Manchester. (Psst, let me tell you a secret – they get their trees from Arend’s Tree Farm listed below. If you like the quality of the Men’s Club trees, but they’ve run out or don’t have the “perfect” tree – see below.)

2) Hillside Christmas Tree Farm

http://www.hillsidechristmastreefarm.com/ - cut your own

The address is 4714 US-12, Tipton, MI 49287. (At the corner of US-12 and Sharon Hollow Road) Their phone is 517-456-7233. Their hours are 10 AM to 5 PM on Saturdays & Sundays - December 14 & 15, 21 & 22.

For the 2013 season, Hillside is offering Canaan Fir, Concolor Fir and Douglas Fir along with Scotch Pine, Blue and Serbian Spruce.

A day at Hillside starts by entering their spacious parking lot, grabbing a saw and accessing the fields for your perfect tree by taking a wagon ride, walking or driving (weather and field conditions permitting). Upon your return, your tree is shaken (cleaned), wrapped for a nominal fee (if desired) and measured for pricing.

The kids can play in the hay stack play area or choose their own small Christmas tree from the Tot Lot.

The family can conclude their experience at Hillside Farm by visiting the Christmas Barn and enjoying hot chocolate, hot cider and cookies by the fireplace. You can immerse yourself in the season by joining in the Christmas Carol Sing Along / Karaoke and browsing the Christmas crafts and enjoying the decorations. New this year is a themed Christmas display. The 2013 theme is 'Christmas in the 1950s'.

3) Urquhart’s Tree Farm

http://www.urquharttreefarms.com/ - cut your own or pre-cut trees

Holiday Farm Address is 10050 Jerusalem Road, Chelsea, MI 48118. They can be reached at 734-433-TREE. They are open Wednesday through Friday – 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm and Saturday & Sunday – 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. NOTE: Closed for the Season on Saturday, December 21 at 5:00 pm.

Urquhart’s has white pine, blue spruce, canaan fir, douglas fir, fraser fir, and concolor fir.

Urquhart's is a family owned Christmas tree farm located 7 miles west of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Visitors can walk to many of their fields, located just a few steps from the parking area and gift shop, or take a wagon ride across the river and rolling hills that make their Christmas tree farm so picturesque. If you decide to hitch a ride on the wagon, you may see llama, sheep, and even deer. You will not believe that you are still in Southeast Michigan!

For those who prefer not to cut their own Christmas tree, they also have fresh cut trees. Families are welcome to take a wagon ride even if they purchase a pre-cut tree.

Warm yourself with a cup of hot chocolate or coffee, as you browse through their heated Christmas gift shop full of truly unique ornaments, tree stands, wreaths, roping, and swags. A trip to Urquhart's tree farm is an outing the whole family is sure to enjoy.

4) Frey’s Christmas Tree Farm

https://www.facebook.com/freystreefarm - cut your own or pre-cut trees

Their address is 15544 Kendall Rd, Grass Lake, Michigan 49240. They can be reached via phone at (734) 428-1425. Call for hours.

Frey’s is a family-run tree farm located between Grass Lake, Chelsea and Manchester. They open the day after Thanksgiving and are open until Christmas Eve. All of their trees are $30. They are a U-pick and u-cut. Their selection of trees this year includes Black Hill spruce and a limited number of Frasier firs. They range in size from 2ft. to +10ft.

5) Arend’s Tree Farm

http://www.arendtreefarms.com/main/?page_id=12 – cut your own or pre-cut trees

Arend’s has two locations: 3512 Notten Rd., Grass Lake, Michigan 49240 – and 12101 Monroe Pike, Brooklyn, MI. The main phone line is (734-475-7584).

Hours are 9am-5pm every day. It is suggested to arrive no later than 4:30 to make sure there is enough daylight to find a tree.

There are horse-drawn wagon rides on the weekends at both the Grass Lake and Brooklyn farms as long as the weather is favorable. These are extremely well trained and hardworking horses that provide a memorable ride for children and adults as well. Another attraction is the 150 year-old country church that is adjacent to the Grass Lake farm. Many families make it part of their holiday tradition to stop by the church for homemade doughnuts and cider or to purchase unique Christmas craft items. The church will be selling homemade crafts and goodies on December 14^th.

They have scotch pine, white pine, douglas fir, fraser fir, canaan fir, balsam fir, concolor fir, and Colorado blue spruce.

Local tree sellers offer tips for keeping your Christmas tree fresh:

• Make sure the trunk has a fresh cut.

• Slowly acclimate the tree to changing temperatures. On a cold day, move it to a cool garage or basement before bringing it into the warm house.

• Keep your tree well-watered. If it dries out, the trunk can seal off and may not draw in any more water.

• Try to match the water temperature to the air temperature; pouring warm water on a tree that's still outside in the cold could shock it.

• Add a small amount of plant food to the water

• Set up the tree away from heat sources that can dry out the needles.

Whichever option you choose, when you find your perfect tree, always remember to give the tree plenty of water, keep it away from heat and check your lights for cracked bulbs or frayed wires before decorating the tree. No need to include the services of the fire department in your annual family traditions!