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Cut-Your-Own Christmas Tree (or Just Pick One Out) at These Greater Cincinnati Farms and Lots

By CityBeat Staff

While some people may have put their holiday decorations up right after Halloween, many start decking their halls the day after Thanksgiving. And if you're ready to grab a tannenbaum and string some lights to darken these long winter days, here are some local cut-your-own Christmas tree farms, lots and nurseries offering a variety of firs, spruces and more to stick inside your house.

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Big Tree Plantation

2544 S. Waynesville Road, Morrow
Big Tree Plantation offers three different types of tree-buying experiences: cut your own, select a pre-harvested one or get a living tree you can plant after the holidays. Located near a 9-acre lake, Big Tree says you can take a wagon ride to the tree fields, and then enjoy a cup of free hot cocoa while the team bundles your selection and attaches it to your car. They also provide the saw. Stop by the gift barn for wreaths, decor, a kids shop and tree stands, plus check out their full-sized nativity scene. Visit Winter Wonderland on select dates to make a craft, decorate a cookie and visit Santa and some animals ($6 children; free for adults). Good, leashed dogs are welcome.
Open Nov. 27-Dec. 23. Check online for specific times for tree cutting, the tree barn, the gift barn and cafe. Winter Wonderland with Santa occurs 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 27, Nov. 28, Nov. 29, Dec. 5, Dec. 6, Dec. 12 and Dec. 13.
Photo: facebook.com/officialbigtreeplantation

Bartels Farm

4427 Cotton Run Road, Hamilton
This family-owned Christmas tree farm lets families (or anyone) cut their own tree. Their 124-acre farm has 10 acres of trees to choose from, offering everything from Eastern White Pine and Canaan Fir to Fraser Fir and Colorado Blue Spruce. This year, no more than 10 families at a time can be out in the field due to COVID safety. Wear your mask while you shop for trees, wreaths and Christmas goodies in their shop, or visit friendly animals.
Bartels Farm is hosting their 2020 Christmas tree operation by appointment this year — book times at bartelsfarm2020.as.me. Hours are available Fridays through Sundays from Nov. 27-Dec. 13.
Photo: facebook.com/bartelschristmastrees

Rossmann's Christmas Tree Farm

7917 State Route 132, Blanchester
Cut your own tree at this Blanchester farm. Bring a mask to wear to the sales barn and grab a tree sled and hand saw (each sled and saw will be sanitized after use). Wreaths will also be for sale outside, but Rossmann's indoor tree shop will be closed. Balled and burlapped trees will not be available this year. Cash or check only; no credit cards.
Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 27 with additional hours 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 28, Nov. 29, Dec. 5 and Dec. 6 — if supply allows.
Photo: facebook.com/rossmannstrees

Kinman Farm

4175 Burlington Pike, Burlington
Kinman Farm is selling fresh-cut trees and wreaths this year (other typical Winter Fest activities — the petting zoo, cookies, cocoa, etc. — have been canceled due to COVID). Trees include Fraser Firs and Scotch Pine. Pick out your favorite and the team at Kinman will cut the trunk, trim the branches, wrap it up and even tie it to your car for you. Don your mask to head to the gift barn for handmade items including jam, pickles and honey. Kinman will also be selling trees at the Boone County Farmers Market daily.
Open 10 a.m.-7 p.m. daily Nov. 21- Dec. 13..
Photo: Kinman Farm Facebook

Shaker Tract Tree Farm

8626 New Haven Road, Harrison
Located near the Shaker Trace Trail and the 1800s Whitewater Shaker Village, Shaker Tract offers guests a chance to cut down their own tree. They provide the hand-saw, sled and ground mat for your adventure. Or they can cut down a tree for you if you pick it out — they even have a professional forester on hand to help with your selection. The website says warm beverages and cookies will be provided in the gift shop, which sells Shaker-inspired goods, including handmade wood items.
Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Sunday from Thanksgiving to Christmas.
Photo: Shaker Tract Tree Farm

Corsi Tree Farm

1651 Bolender Road, Hamersville
In operation since 1955, this 100-acre family-friendly farm offers Norway Spruce, Colorado Blue Spruce, Serbian Spruce, White Pine, Scotch Pine and Canaan Fir — all for $65. Cut your own tree starting the day after Thanksgiving and stop by the Broken Stone Lodge for hot cocoa, ornaments, live music, Italian chili and a free petting zoo. If you go inside the lodge, a mask is required. But Corsi is also offering the ability to pay for your tree and buy concessions without heading indoors.
Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday from Nov. 27-Dec. 20.
Photo: facebook.com/CorsiTreeFarm

Whitetail Acres Christmas Tree Farm

9127 Cooley Road, Brookville, Indiana
Whitetail Acres offers you the chance to buy a pre-cut or balled and burlapped tree or to head out into the field to cut your own Norway Spruce, White Pine or Canaan Fir. They provide saws, tree shaking and bailing, tree drilling, cut-tree pick-up, hayrides, hot chocolate and cider for free. They will also have bonfires and a special chance to interact with a live reindeer. Reindeer Encounters take place at the Garden Center (8001 Old Blue Creek Road, Brookville) and cost $20 per person; free for children under 2. Book at whitetailacrestreefarm.com/reindeer. You'll be able to feed and pet the reindeer in their barnyard and learn about where they're from and how they fly, plus enjoy free refreshments and a bonfire. Whitetail also offers freshly crafted wreaths, swags and roping for sale.
Opens 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 27 with hours 11 a.m.-6 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 23. Reindeer encounters go until February 2021.
Photo: facebook.com/WhitetailAcresTreeFarm

Caracole

4138 Hamilton Ave., Northside
Caracole — the "nonprofit AIDS Service Organization, devoted to positively changing lives in the fight against HIV/AIDS" — is hosting its annual Christmas tree sale. Head to the parking lot behind their Northside headquarters for a selection of Blue Spruce, Concolor Fir, Fraser Fir and Serbian Spruce. They are also selling wreaths and garland. The profit from tree sales goes to support Caracole.
Opens 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Black Friday with hours 1-4 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. The lot will operate until all trees are gone.
Photo: Caracole

Tom Mitts Christmas Trees

625 Monmouth St., Newport
The current owner of Tom Mitts Christmas Trees took over the enterprise in summer 2017, after Tom Mitts passed away unexpectedly after heart surgery. David, who now runs the tree lot, has been working at Mitts' since he was 8 years old. The tree lot asks guests to follow all CDC guidelines (wear a face mask, social distance) while they shop for trees — which start at $19.95. Trees are priced by size, type and grade and range from 3 feet tall up to more than 14 feet in height. New trees are added every day and they'll provide a fresh cut on the trunk, trim the boughs, net it, drill the base (to be set in a stand) and help secure it to your vehicle.
Open 9 a.m.-9 p.m. daily.
Photo: facebook.com/Tommittschristmastrees

Wertz Tree Farm

5682 Union Road, Franklin
Head to Wertz Tree Farm to cut your own tree or select a pre-cut beauty. They provide the saws, and they'll help shake, bail and tie the tree to your car. All they ask is that you "wear sensible shoes and (bring) a desire to have fun." Also, if you come after 5:30 p.m., they say to bring a flashlight.
Open noon-7 p.m. Nov. 27 and then 4-7 p.m. weekdays and noon-7 p.m. weekends.
Photo: facebook.com/chooseatree