CENTRAL TEXAS — Looking to go live this year for your Christmas tree? There are plenty of real-life options in the Central Texas area.
While you could purchase your living tree at an Austin Lowe's or Home Depot, or even order it for delivery from Amazon, for many, the real Christmas experience comes from visiting a tree lot or farm and handpicking, or even chopping down, a tree for yourself.
Whether you'd like to make a road trip to cut down a tree of your own or travel down the road to snag one from a local lot, we've tossed together a list of local lots and farms to give you plenty of options:
Christmas Tree Farms
5141 E. Pierce Street
Luling, Texas
Archie and Virginia Abrameit sell pre-cut Fraser, Noble and Nordman firs of various sizes, including 9 to 11-foot trees. However, they might close by Dec. 8 or 9 depending on availability.
705 North Old Highway 81
Kyle, Texas
At veteran-owned Cross Plants & Produce, each Christmas tree has a name. In this farm-like nursery, the trees reach as tall as 10 feet. However, they say don't delay -- they're selling fast.
120 Natures Way
Elgin, Texas
The Elgin Christmas Tree Farm has been providing homegrown Christmas trees since 1984. You can choose from Virginia Pine, Leyland Cypress and Fraser Firs. Here, you can saw down a tree of your own or select from their batch of pre-cut trees. They also hold events such as field trips and Sunday worship services.
242 Monkey Road
Elgin, Texas
Mike and Beth Walterscheidt have been harvesting trees on their farm since 1996. This choose-and-cut farm will be open until Dec. 24 while supplies last. They provide the tools for your Texas-grown tree, or you can choose from a precut Noble or Fraser Fir.
4100 Jakes Colony Road
Seguin, Texas
On their farm, Jeffery and Tracie Seiler grow Virginia Pine, Loblolly Pine or Leyland Cypress Christmas Trees. They also sell wreaths, crafts, snacks and pecans to enjoy while you shop.
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Christmas Tree Lots
2813 San Gabriel
Austin, Texas
The Optimist Club of Austin has been selling trees since 1952. When you purchase a tree here, all of the profits will benefit youth charities across Austin. They sell Noble Firs, Fraser Firs, Grand Firs, Scotch Pines and Douglas Firs.
204 E. Little Elm Trail (Twin Lakes YMCA)
Cedar Park, Texas
or
100 N. Brush Street (Old Town Leander)
Leander, Texas
Brungot Farms' Fraser Fir Christmas trees arrive just days after being cut from mountainside fields in North Carolina and New Hampshire, arriving in a refrigerated truck.
7601 Burnet Road
Austin, Texas
Joel and Ken say they have been providing quality trees to Austinites for more than three decades. On top of trees, they too sell garland from Noble Firs, Western Reds, or a combination of the two. They also provide delivery services.
Papa Noël has eight locations across the Austin area.
The tree experts at Papa Noël select the finest True Fir trees from award-winning farms across the country. Austin shoppers are able to select their trees, stands, wreaths or garland, and even get help for delivery or at-home setup. They've been serving the Austin and San Antonio areas for 35 years.
2730 S. Congress Ave.
Austin, Texas
Conveniently located on South Congress, The Great Outdoors sells Fraser Firs. Check out their tips and tricks in the video below, which features ideas for how to repurpose your living tree after the holidays.
When you're ready to head back, Chevrolet offers the following tips to help you safely chop and transport your tree home:
- Be prepared: Always make sure to measure the space in your home so you know exactly what size tree will fit as you pick one out. Don’t forget to leave enough room for the tree topper!
- Stay warm: Bundle up, wear boots and bring a pair of gloves to make sure you stay warm when chopping down your tree. Whether it’s snowing or wet outside, be sure to bring a piece of cardboard to kneel on while you cut your tree down.
- Choose wisely: Most tree farms have a lot of options to choose from, so take your time and inspect the trees before you pick one out. The National Christmas Tree Association recommends testing out the branches to make sure the tree isn’t too dry or unhealthy.
- Chop Chop: Cut your tree low to the ground and straight across. Have a buddy pull the tree slightly away from the side you’re cutting to prevent the saw from binding and make it easier to cut all the way through.
- Use netting: All trees should be put into netting or a sleeve for easy transport.
- Stump first: Put the stump-end of the tree towards the front of your truck to help mitigate movement within the bed of the truck.
- Tie it down tight: Center your tree in the bed of the truck, loop twine through the integrated tie-down hooks and repeat to cinch with a “figure-8” motion securing the tree.
- Tailgate up: The best way to transport your tree is with the tailgate up. If your tree is bigger than your truck bed, you can transport it with the tailgate down – just make sure to tie a red ribbon on the end of the tree so drivers behind you can see it and follow local laws about items extending beyond your vehicle.
- Don’t forget to water your tree: Make sure you put your tree into water immediately when you get home and place it away from heat sources like fireplaces or radiators that can dry it out. The tree will drink up a lot of water the first couple of days so make sure to check on the water level throughout the season. That way you can keep it alive and healthy all holiday season long!
