As a child growing up in Indiana, one of my favorite Christmas memories is piling into the car with the family and a few friends, and going to cut our own Christmas tree. I have memories of bundling up with hats and gloves, and playing in the snow at the Christmas tree farm. These days snow seems to be less a part of the tree-cutting tradition. As I recall, last year the only reason we needed to even wear long sleeves was to keep from getting prickled by the pine needles! Snow or not, bringing home the Christmas tree seems like the ideal way to start the holiday season off right. So this year, consider bundling up and bringing home your own fresh-cut Christmas tree!

Christmas Trees and Santa Claus too - what more could a kid want? Santa Claus makes a surprise visit at Reed’s Christmas Tree Farm in Pittsboro, Hendricks County.

Fresh-cut Christmas trees are renewable and recyclable! The Indiana Christmas Tree Growers’ Association says, “Tree farms stabilize soil, protect water supplies and provide refuge for wildlife.” And for every tree harvested, an average of three seedlings are planted in its place. They are carefully tended and pruned, each hoping to be “the chosen one” when they grow up.

Some Christmas tree farms allow you to cut your own, while others allow you to “choose”, and the farmer to “cut”. Just be sure to call ahead to learn details.

After Christmas, many communities and even the tree farms have Christmas tree recycling programs, where they can be recycled and made into mulch. You can also recycle your own tree if you have the space and inclination. The branches can be cut and laid across perennial flower beds as an insulation. Or if you have a lake or pond, the tree can be thrown in the water to provide a home for fish and other underwater life!

We are happy to provide you with a listing of some Southern Indiana’s Christmas tree farms, provided by the Christmas Tree Grower’s Association. There are other farms, so if you don’t see one in your area, check your phone book or county visitors bureau. Enjoy!

BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY

Harden Christmas Trees, 12912 W. Youth Camp Rd., Columbus. Choose and cut. Open all day Fri., Sat., and Sun. through Christmas. 812-342-3487.

Heath Family Tree Farms, 10770 W. 650 South, Columbus. Choose & cut weekends only. Retail lots 10am-9pm daily from Thanksgiving to Dec. 24. Delivery available. Christmas shop on premises. 812-342-4778.

CLARK COUNTY

Huber Orchard Tree Farm, 19816 Huber Rd., Borden (Starlight). Open 9am-5pm daily. Christmas shop on premises. 812-923-9813.

Koetter’s Nursery, 10320 St. John Rd., Borden. Open through December 24, 8am-6pm. 812-923-9582.

Meyer Christmas Trees, 24619 Tom Evans Road, Borden. Choose & cut. Open through December 24, 9am-6pm. 812-923-9355

CLAY COUNTY

Timber Springs Christmas Tree Farm, Reelsville. Choose & cut. Open weekends December 1-13, 10am-4pm. 765-672-8175.

CRAWFORD COUNTY

Bruce Real Tree Farm, 1902 Ekin Ave., New Albany. Choose & cut. Open through December 24th. 812-944-8824.

DECATUR COUNTY

Bohman Tree Farm, 9801 E. Base Rd., Greensburg. Choose & cut, and also pre-cut. Open Friday through Sunday 8am-5pm. 812-934-4257.

DUBOIS COUNTY

Scherle Tree Farm, 2243 W. Division Road, Jasper. Choose & cut. Open through December 19, weekends ONLY 9am-5pm. 812-482-6486.

FAYETTE COUNTY

Mason/Slagle Christmas Tree Farm, 2051 W. 475 South, Connersville. Choose & cut. Open through December 24th, noon to dark. Tagging & wholesale. Christmas shop on premises. 765-825-3331 or 765-825-9430.

Roehler’s Christmas Tree Farm, 4812 National Road West, Centerville. Choose & cut. Open December weekdays 10:30am-5:30pm, weekends 9am-5:30pm. Christmas shop on premises. 765-698-2098.

FLOYD COUNTY

Hamilton’s Tree Farm, 8356 Corydon Ridge Rd., Lanesville. Choose & cut or can dig. Customers can tag trees anytime. Open Saturdays and Sundays only. 812-952-2452.

Zoellers Tree Farm, 6900 Loi Rd., Floyds Knob. Choose & cut. Open through December 24th, 9am-5pm. 812-923-8545.

FRANKLIN COUNTY

Whitetail Acres Tree Farm, 9127 Cooley Rd., Brookville. Choose & cut. Open through December 24th, weekends 10am-8pm, weekdays 11am-7pm. Christmas shop on premises. 765-647-6812.

GIBSON COUNTY

Jaquess Tree Farm, 901 S. Jefferson, RR2, Princeton. Choose & cut, wholesale. Open Thursday through Sunday, 9am-5pm. 812-385-8074.

GREENE COUNTY

Beech Creek Tree Farm, RR4, Box 704, Bloomfield. Choose & cut. Open through December 21, choose & cut on weekends. 812-825-6725 or 888-252-6725.

HANCOCK COUNTY

Brawner’s Greenhouse & Christmas Trees, 1015 E. Broadway, Fortville. Retail, choose & harvest (Scotch Pine), precut all varieties. Open through Christmas Eve, 8:30am til dark. Recycling available. 317-485-5853.

Evergreen Acres, 2758 W. 200 North, Greenfield. Choose & cut. Open 9-5pm Sat & Sun. 317-326-2560.

Hillcrest Tree Farm, 4420 E. 500 South, Greenfield. Choose & cut. Open through December 24th, Friday 12-5:30pm, Sat. 9am-5:30p, Sun. 11am-5:30pm. Christmas store on premises. 317-462-7694.

Lost Forty Tree Farm, 4490 N. 400 East, Greenfield. Choose & cut. Open weekends 9am-4:30pm. 317-326-4670.

HARRISON COUNTY

Duffy Tree Farm, 9400 Walk Drive, Georgetown. Choose & cut. Weekends only 9am-4:30pm. 812-366-3115.

HENDRICKS COUNTY

Carman’s Christmas Trees & Gift Shop, 5822 E. 1000 North, Pittsboro. Choose and cut. Open Sat. & Sun. 1-6pm. Christmas store on premises. 317-892-4239.

Cartlidge Christmas Trees, 8676 E. US Highway 36, Avon. Choose & cut. Open Saturdays and Sundays only, 9am-5pm. 317-272-3579

Champion Family Christmas Tree Farm, 401 N. 625 East, Danville, IN 46122. Choose & cut. Open Saturdays and Sundays only, 9am-5pm. Recycling available. 317-272-0647.

Evans Whispering Pines, 1538 N. 400 West, Danville. Choose & cut. Open through December 21, 9am-6pm daily. Christmas store on premises. 317-745-3146.

Jay’s Tree Farm, 1271 Joppa Road, Mooresville. Open weekends 9am-5:30pm, weekdays 3-5:30pm. 317-834-3804.

Nelson’s Christmas Tree Farm & Nursery, 837 W. CR 1025 North, Lizton. Choose & cut, wholesale & retail. Open through December 19th. Christmas store on premises. 317-994-5980.

Pagac’s Christmas Tree Farm, 5566 N. 550 East, Pittsboro. Choose & cut. Open through December 19. 317-825-2730.

Reed’s Christmas Tree Farm, 2272 E. CR 651 North, Pittsboro, IN 46167. Open through December 25th, 8am-7pm six days, Sunday 12-5:30pm. Recycling available. Reindeer on premises. 317-892-3238

HENRY COUNTY

Country Christmas Tree Farm, 8650 N. CR 100 East, Springport. Choose & cut. Open weekdays 3pm-5pm, Sat. 9am-5pm, Sun. 1-5pm. Christmas store on premises, and recycling available. 765-755-3345.

JACKSON COUNTY

Roberts Christmas Tree Farm, 9977 N. CR 25 East, Seymour. Choose & cut, wholesale. Open 1pm till dusk. 812-522-1288 or 522-4444.

JENNINGS COUNTY

Criswell Trees, 7935 E. County Rd. 1050 North, Butlerville. Choose & cut & cut-wholesale. Open through December 15. 812-591-3903.

JOHNSON COUNTY

Nettles Tree Farm, 1828 W. 750 South, Trafalgar. Choose & cut, retail. Open weekends 9am-4pm. 317-933-3393.

LAWRENCE COUNTY

O-D-LU, RR12, Box 566, Bedford. Open 7am to dark. 812-279-9129.

MARION COUNTY

Hilgert Tree Farm, 7729 N. Frontage Rd., Fairland. Choose & cut. Open weekends & evenings till Christmas. 317-835-0423.

MONROE COUNTY

Jenner Tree Farm, 5778 Cowden Rd., Ellettsville. Choose & cut. Open till December 23rd. Christmas shop on premises and recycling available. 812-876-4492.

Twin H Tree Farms, Inc. 620 W. Chumley Rd., Bloomington. Choose & cut, wholesale, retail. Open year-round. Christmas store on premises. 812-824-7458.

MORGAN COUNTY

Jay’s Tree Farm, 1271 Joppa Road, Mooresville. Open weekends 9am-5:30pm. 317-834-3804.

Maddy Tree Farm, 1230 Plummer Rd., Martinsville. Choose & cut. Open Friday 3-5pm, Saturdays 9am-5pm, Sundays 1-5pm. 765-342-3268.

Robinson Pines 1, 261 St. Rd. 42, Mooresville. Full service choose & cut. Open through December 19, weekdays 5-7pm, weekends 10am-7pm. 317-831-6605.

PUTNAM COUNTY

Wagoner Christmas Tree Farm, 2148 N. 440 West, Greencastle. Choose & cut, wholesale. Open through December 23rd, 9am-6pm. 765-739-6135.

RIPLEY COUNTY

Crocker’s Christmas Trees, 8218 W. CR 500 North, Osgood, IN 47037. Choose & cut, wholesale, retail. Open through December 24th. 812-689-4190.

Sheets Tree Farm, 5679 N. Co. Rd. 200 East, Osgood. Choose & cut, wholesale, retail. Open 9am-dark. Recycling available. 812-689-4768 or 317-846-2538.

RUSH COUNTY

Clear View Family Farm, 8451 W. 100 South, Arlington. Open weekends, Sat. 9am-5pm, Sunday 12-5pm. Christmas store on premises. 765-663-2160.

SCOTT COUNTY

Now that’s one satisfied customer!

Leota Christmas Tree Farm, 1901 S. Finley Firehouse Rd., Scottsburg. Choose & cut, wholesale and retail. Open through December 24th, 9am to dark. Christmas store on premises, and recycling available. 812-752-7160.

SHELBY COUNTY

Burger’s Christmas Tree Farm, 5314 N. 400 West, Fairland. Open through Christmas, Monday through Sat. 8am-5pm, Sunday 1-5pm. Christmas store on premises. 317-835-7635.

SPENCER COUNTY

Ahren’s Tree Farm, 4162 W. Base Road, Rockport. Choose & cut, wholesale. Open through December 24th, 9am to dark. 812-359-4758.

The Buggy Shed & Frank’s Christmas Tree Farm, 1646 N. State Road 161, Richland. Call for hours. 812-359-4213.

Whippoorwill’s Nest Christmas Tree Farm, Highway 245, Lamar. Call for hours. 812-544-2523.

VANDERBURGH COUNTY

Hollander Tree Plantation, 12345 Old Petersburg Road, Evansville. Open 9am-5pm daily. 812-867-3913.

Reininga Christmas Tree Farm, 12440 Old State Road, Evansville. Open through December 23rd, Saturdays and Sundays, 12-4:30. 812-867-6029.

Cyril Ubelhor Family Christmas Trees, 3130 Schenk Rd., Evansville. Open through December 24th, Mon.-Sat., 9am-dark., Sun. noon-dark. Christmas Store on premises. 812-963-3526.

Ubelhor Christmas Trees, 8000 #6 School Road, Evansville. Choose & cut. Open through December 24th, 9am-5pm. Christmas store on premises. 812-963-3992.

VERMILLION COUNTY

Smith Christmas Tree Plantation, Inc. 11551 N. Bandy Place, Clinton. Call for hour Color s. Christmas store on premises. 765-832-8067.

VIGO COUNTY

Star Tree Farm, 1051 Gannon Rd., West Terre Haute. Choose & cut. Open weekends 10am to dark. 812-533-2639.

Tiffin Farm, 3522 Old Paris Road, West Terre Haute. Choose & cut. Open until sold out, 9am-5pm. 812-533-2138.

WASHINGTON COUNTY

Hein Tree Farm & Gift Shop, 11261 State Rd. 335, Pekin. Choose & cut. Open through December 24th. Christmas shop on premises, and recycling available.

WAYNE COUNTY

Githens-Sickels Christmas Trees, 6386 State Rd. 227 North, Richmond. Choose & cut. Open through December 24th, Sun.-Fri. 1-5:30pm, Sat. 10am-5pm. Christmas store on premises. 765-847-5317 or 765-584-9850.

Roehler’s Christmas Tree Farm, 4812 National Road West, Centerville. Choose & cut. Open daily. Christmas Store on premises. 765-935-5339.