Where to get a fresh-cut local Christmas tree
By Andrew Sharp
If you use an artificial Christmas tree, this article won’t be very helpful. But if a chlorine and ethylene-based “tree” grown in a factory somewhere and painstakingly crafted to look like an actual tree doesn't quite fit your idea of holiday tradition, read on.
Actually, people with artificial trees are probably smirking right now about the worry over Christmas tree shortages, which have been reported by multiple outlets. Turns out a reusable tree has a few advantages.
Because of supply chain issues and severe weather (wildfires, droughts etc.), it will be harder for people to get the tree they want this year, CNBC reported, although they’ll likely get a tree of some kind, even if it’s a little more Charlie-Brownish than usual or looks suspiciously like a tree cut out of a hedge.
The effort to track down and buy those live trees is well underway: Like the shopping season, outdoor lights and tree installation seem to be moving earlier into the fall. The kind of people who did all their holiday shopping in June posted photos of decorated trees weeks ago. But it’s not even December yet, so tree-buying season has weeks to go — although, given demand, procrastinators may want to cut their delay short this year.
Charles Cawley, owner of Cawley Family Farm in Denton, Maryland, has seen the impacts of the tree shortage. He said people are coming from places as far away as Princess Anne and Severna Park to get trees because their local farms are running short. The Cawley farm still has trees on the lot, but the supply is dwindling, and he said he might close it after the first weekend in December (although he’ll still have pre-cut trees available).
Robin Achenbach of Poynter's Tree Farm in Felton affirmed that the nationwide shortage has impacted supply here in Delaware. She said they have fewer trees available this year and she anticipates they will run out, but the farm's Christmas shop will remain open regardless.
Christmas trees in the field at Poynter's Tree Farm in Felton.
That varies by farm, though. Pat Dyer of Dyer’s Tree Farm in Dover said Tuesday that he had plenty of trees, mostly 6 to 8 feet — above that height, he had fewer available. Diane Spence of Spence's Tree Farm in Frederica also said the nationwide shortage hasn't affected their small family farm, because they raise most of their trees on-site.
"‘We just seem to have an amount of people that come every year and we have plenty for everybody," she said.
Between all the farms, there's a size to suit anyone, from something you'd put on your table to a tree you might want to hire a logger to help with. Spence said one family told her they use scaffolding to decorate their tree.
"You see some of the trees that go out of here and you just can’t imagine what it would take to get them in the house," she said.
If you haven’t gotten your tree yet and would like to pick one out from a tree farm, here’s a list of local growers in southern Delaware and nearby.
[googlemaps https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1KRH3dUGCAuQOEbuOJ8AX-o9raj3qefHl&w=640&h=480]
Balsam Acres, 8428 Sharptown Rd., Laurel
Contact: 302-875-4952 or 302-448-1556; Facebook
Farm trees: Douglas fir, Canaan fir, Norway spruce, white pine, Turkish fir, Nordman fir, red cedar
Method: You choose, we cut
Size: Up to 15 feet
Prices: $5 to $10 per foot
Hours: Saturday to Sunday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Last day open Sunday, Dec. 19.
Extras:
Free wrapping and assistance with loading. The farm also makes and sells wreaths ($24-$35) and offers garland materials.
B&B Evergreens, 35968 Zion Church Rd., Frankford
Contact: 302-228-3884 (cell), Facebook
Farm trees: White pine, Norway spruce
Balled and burlap: Available upon request for trees under 8 feet with a day’s notice
Method: You choose, we cut
Prices: $60 for all field grown trees, any size or species. $100 for ball and burlap live trees.
Hours: Friday to Sunday: 8 a.m.-sunset
Payment: Cash or checks only
Extras:
The farm opened for the season the weekend after Thanksgiving. A selection of trees is still available but the farm predicts the second weekend (Dec. 3-5) will be very busy and said many of the best trees tend to be taken after this weekend. Live trees should not be kept indoors longer than two weeks before replanting. “We have a net baler for the trees and plenty of rope to tie it on your vehicle if needed,” the farm said in a Facebook post.
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Cawley Family Farm, 24320 Willow Pond Rd., Denton
Contact: 443-569-8126, Facebook
Farm trees: Blue spruce, Canaan fir, Douglas fir, white pine
Pre-cut: Douglas fir, Fraser fir
Method: You choose, we cut, or cut your own. Hand saws are provided.
Size: Up to 7-8 feet on the farm, but supply is low. Pre-cut trees up to 14 feet.
Prices: $60-$250 on average, up to $800 for a 14-foot tree
Hours: Friday to Sunday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Payment: Credit cards accepted
Extras:
Price includes shaking, baling, netting and tying on the vehicle on request (owner accepts responsibility for what this might do to the vehicle). They sell custom wreaths, ornaments and more. Pets are allowed on a leash.
Dyer’s Tree Farm, 36 Lake Drive (along Moore’s Lake), Dover
Contact: 302-632-0630
Farm trees: Douglas fir, white pine, Norway spruce
Pre-cut: Not available
Method: You choose, we cut. Customers may dig a tree for $5 extra.
Size: 4 feet to 8 feet
Prices: $48 for all trees up to 8 feet; $5 per foot for each foot over 8 feet.
Hours: Friday: 3-5 p.m., Saturday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday: 1 p.m.-5 p.m.
Extras:
Tagging is available any time; fresh evergreens are also available.
Don’s Tree Farm, 6396 Hickman Road, Greenwood
Contact: 302-349-0555, donstreefarm@yahoo.com, Facebook
Farm trees: White pine, Douglas fir, Norway spruce
Pre-cut: Fraser fir, Douglas fir, Canaan fir, concolor fir
Live balled and burlap: Norway spruce, white pine, blue spruce, 5 to 6 feet
Method: You choose, we cut
Size: Tabletop to 12 feet
Prices: Not listed, call for pricing
Hours: Thursday 12-5 p.m. (pre-cut only), Friday to Sunday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Payment: Cash or local check only (the farm has an ATM on site)
Extras:
Don’s has a Christmas shop with holiday decor, tree stands, wreaths, Lionel electric train sets and more. Santa visits every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Masks are required, per the farm’s Facebook page.
Makabrey Christmas Tree Farm, 28366 Johnson Lane, Harbeson
Contact: 302-549-1150, makabreyfarm@yahoo.com, Facebook
Farm trees: White pine, Norwegian spruce, Douglas fir, Canaan fir, concolor fir and more
Pre-cut: Available, cut from the farm
Method: You choose, we cut
Size: Many of the larger trees have sold, so most are 8 feet or shorter
Prices: $60-$95, ask about unmarked trees.
Hours: Saturday to Sunday: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Closed after Dec. 19.
Payment: Cash, card, or Apple/Android pay preferred, but checks also accepted
Extras:
This is the former Landis Tree Farm, sold earlier this year. All trees for sale this year come from the farm, the owners say. They will not have hot chocolate and cookies this year or professional photography, but people are welcome to take photos including with an antique sleigh on display. They also offer hand-crafted gift tags, painted rocks, handmade wreaths and ornaments. The farm says it has been selling small trees, around 4 feet in size, for $30 to $40 to "families that want a tree specifically for their children to decorate." No dogs allowed.
P&J Tree Farm, 31315 East Line Rd., Delmar
Contact: 410-896-9257, jbozmansr@aol.com, Facebook
Farm trees: White pine
Pre-cut: Fraser fir
Method: You choose and cut
Size: 6-10 feet
Prices: Field trees are $45 regardless of size. Pre-cut Fraser firs range from $60-$100.
Hours: Friday: 12-5 p.m., Saturday to Sunday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Payment: Cash and personal checks only
Extras:
Dogs are allowed if they are well-behaved and on a leash. The farm has a restored 1926 sleigh on display.
Pre-cut Christmas trees on display at Poynter's Tree Farm in Felton.
Poynter's Tree Farm, 13480 S. Dupont Highway, Felton
Contact: 302-284-4801, Facebook
Farm trees: Species include white pine, Douglas fir, blue spruce, Norway spruce
Pre-cut including Fraser fir available
Balled and burlap available, also 3-foot potted trees
Method: You choose, we cut
Size: Up to 12 feet
Hours: Monday to Thursday: 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Friday to Sunday: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. (Field closes at dusk but pre-cut trees are available until close)
Extras:
The family-run tree farm sells custom wreaths and garlands, and has a Christmas shop featuring an extensive assortment of figurines and collectibles. Please keep pets in the car.
Schreppler’s Fir Tree Acres, 2216 Woodlytown Road, Magnolia
Contact: 302-697-7396 or 302-670-7841
Farm trees: Douglas fir
Method: You choose, you cut. Saws, netting and shaking are included.
Size: Up to 9 feet
Hours: Saturday to Sunday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Spence’s Tree Farm, 19 Ruyter Drive, Frederica
Contact: 302-335-4460 or 302-393-3582
Farm trees: Douglas fir, concolor fir, Norway spruce, blue spruce, white spruce, white pine, red cedar
Pre-cut: Small amount of Fraser fir; most trees are raised on-farm
Method: You choose, we cut
Size: Tabletop to 15 or so feet
Hours: Saturday to Sunday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Dec. 19
Extras:
Rabbit’s Hollow Christmas Shop is closed this year, but the train shop is open and sets and accessories are available. Netting is provided with trees. Trees are available year-round for landscaping. Fresh wreaths are available or made to order.
Turning Pointe Farm, 5395 Westville Road, Hartly
Contact: 302-492-0231
Farm trees: White spruce, Norway spruce, eastern white pine, Douglas fir, Canaan fir
Pre-cut: Some available, Douglas fir
Method: You choose, we cut
Size: Some varieties up to 15 feet
Prices: From $50 to maybe $150 for a 15 foot tree
Hours: Saturday to Sunday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Payment: Cash or check only
Extras:
To visit during the week for tree tagging, please call first. Turning Pointe has a gift shop offering gifts and Christmas collectibles, including unusual ornaments, nativity sets, candles and more. The farm follows state health guidelines; please bring a mask.
Farms closed this year
Parsons Brothers Tree Farm, 28066 John. J. Williams Highway, Millsboro
The farm says it is closed for the season to give the trees time to grow.
Berry Patch Christmas Tree Farm, 1835 Halltown Rd., Hartly
The farm says it’s closed for “numerous reasons” and noted that a field planted in 2017 won’t be ready for a few more years. What that means for next season was not specified.
Other:
If you just want a pre-cut tree but would rather not go to a big box store for one, a couple other local businesses offer pre-cut trees.
Kirk Farms, 12263 County Seat Highway, Laurel
Contact: 302-875-5194, Facebook
Pre-cut trees: Balsam fir
Size: Tabletop to around 8 feet
Prices: $25-$49
Hours: Seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Extras:
The store offers pre-cut trees, wreaths, grave mounds, tin yard decor and more.
Coastal Christmas Trees, 16109 Hudson Road, Milton
Contact: 302-278-8822, coastalchristmastrees@gmail.com, Facebook
The business said it sold out of trees grown on the farm after less than 48 hours. It now offers only pre-cut trees for the remainder of the season at its Hudson Fields satellite location.
Size: Up to 15 feet
Extras:
No tagging; first come, first served. The farm sells trees at the entrance to Winter Wonderfest at Hudson Fields, 30045 Eagle Crest Rd, Milton.
Sources include the Delaware Christmas Tree Growers Association website and farms’ social media pages.
Did we leave out any farms or stores? Contact info@delawareindependent.com.