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Area Christmas tree farms ready for business

Posted: Thursday, Nov. 26, 2009

More Information

  • Foothills Christmas tree farms open.
  • Tips for caring for your tree

    Once you've chosen your tree, keep it in a sheltered, unheated area (porch or garage) to protect it from wind and sun until you are ready to decorate. Make sure there is water in the bucket that holds the tree.

    Before you set up your tree, make a fresh cut (1/4 to 1 inch above original cut) at the base of the trunk to help it get enough water. Do this at home or at the tree lot where you buy it. Make sure the cut surface remains flat. Avoid whittling down the sides of the trunk to fit a stand. The outer layers of wood are the most efficient in taking up water and should not be removed.

    Shake your tree vigorously, or if a mechanical tree shaker is available where you purchase the tree, use it. Shaking the tree will help remove insects, egg masses and other parasites. Some insects, like praying mantises, will hatch from eggs after being indoors for several weeks. Do not spray insecticides on fresh-cut Christmas trees. Entomologists say the types of insects or spiders that emerge from a fresh-cut tree will not cause harm or damage to your tree, house or occupants.

    Keep the tree stand filled with water. A seal of dried sap will form over the cut stump in four to six hours if the water drops below the base of the tree. That will prevent the tree from absorbing water later when the tree stand is refilled. A tree will absorb as much as a gallon of water or more in the first 24 hours and one or more quarts a day thereafter.

    Use only clean, fresh water. Do not use additives - including floral preservatives, commercial tree preservatives, molasses, sugar, bleach, aspirin, etc.

    Keep tree away from heat and draft sources, such as fireplaces, radiators and TVs. Test light cords and connections to make sure they're in good working order.

    Don't overload circuits. Unplug lights before you go to bed or leave the house. Never burn any part of the tree in a wood stove or fireplace. NATIONAL CHRISTMAS TREE ASSOCIATION


For those who treat their Christmas tree hunt as an adventure, here's a list of area cut-your-own farms. There's also links to tree farms across the Carolinas.

CATAWBA COUNTY

Santa's Forest: 4071 Herter Road. Leyland cypress, Carolina sapphire and Fraser firs. Open Sundays to Fridays, noon until dark; Saturdays, 9 a.m.-dark. From Lincolnton, take Exit 33 off U.S. 321, follow signs. www.herternursery.com; 828-428-9350 or 828-428-3774. Opens Friday.

LINCOLN COUNTY

Cedar Lake Tree Farm: 5829 N.C. 27, Iron Station, between Stanley and Lincolnton. Virginia pine and Leyland cypress. Also have pre-cut Fraser firs. Open through Dec. 20. Mondays to Saturdays, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sundays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Map at www.cedarlaketreefarm.com; 704-201-8922. Opens Friday.

Helms Tree Farm: 6345 Christmas Tree Lane, Vale. White pine, red cedar, Leyland cypress, white and Colorado blue spruce and Carolina sapphire. Pre-cut Fraser fir. All but Fraser fir offered in bag and ball. Every weekend 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Covered-wagon rides, restrooms, wreaths and Christmas shop available. Open every day from 9 a.m. until dark through Dec. 20. Take N.C. 27 West to Lincoln County Courthouse, go halfway around courthouse, and then continue eight miles on N.C. 27 West. At stoplight (near West Lincoln High School), turn right onto Cat Square Road. Go two miles, turn left onto Beam's Lumber Road, drive a half-mile and take a right onto John Beam Road (first paved road on right). Farm is a half-mile up hill, on left, on Christmas Tree Lane; 704-276-1835. www.helmschristmastreefarm.com.

STANLY COUNTY

Grovestone Christmas Tree Farm: 48051 Clodfelter Road, Albemarle. Virginia pines and Leyland cypress trees. All sizes $35. Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 1-5 p.m. Sundays, until Dec. 24. Take U.S. 24-27 East to four miles beyond Albemarle. At caution light, turn left onto Valley Drive Road, drive one mile, turn right onto Clodfelter Road. Farm is on left. 704-983-0905 weekdays and 704-983-1685 evenings. Open Thanksgiving Day.

CHESTER COUNTY

Taylor's Christmas Tree Farm: Old York Road (S.C. 909), Lowrys. One mile north of Chester County Airport. Virginia and white pines, Leyland cypress, Clemson green spire, Carolina sapphire, Murray Cypress, Blue Ice, pre-cut Fraser firs. Also offer wreaths, greenery. Open until Dec. 24, 3 p.m. until dark, weekdays; 10 a.m.-dark Saturdays; 1 p.m.-dark Sundays. 803-581-3507. Open Thanksgiving Day.

LANCASTER COUNTY

Pa-Pa John's Christmas Tree Farm: 6980 Flat Creek Road, Kershaw. Virginia pine, white pine, eastern red cedar, Carolina sapphire, Leyland cypress and Blue Ice. Also carries fresh cut Fraser Fir. Balled and burlap trees: Fraser fir, white pine and Colorado blue spruce, Norway Spruce and Hemlock. Wreaths. Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays; 1-5 p.m. Sundays. From Charlotte, take U.S. 521 to Lancaster, U.S. 521 bypass south to S.C. 903 (sign will say to Myrtle Beach). Turn east on S.C. 903, go 14 miles. Farm is on the right. 803-475-9247. Open Thanksgiving day.

YORK COUNTY

Penland Christmas Tree Farm: 6457 Campbell Road, York. Virginia and white pine, Carolina sapphire, red cedar and Leyland cypress. Also carry pre-cut Fraser firs. Hours: 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. weekdays and Saturdays; 1-5:30 p.m. Sundays. Take N.C. 49 South to Buster Boyd Bridge. Drive five miles south on S.C. 49, turn left onto S.C. 274. Continue four miles and turn on Campbell Road. 803-366-7605. www.penlandtreefarm.com. Opens Friday.

For a list of cut-your-own tree farms beyond the immediate Charlotte area, try one of these sites.

ncchristmastrees.com

www.ncagr.gov/markets (search "Christmas trees)

scchristmastrees.org

Heather Mims

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