Shopping for a Christmas tree? Check out these 15 tree farms around the Philly region

The biggest question of Christmas isn’t whether or not Santa Claus exists. It’s whether you display a real or fake Christmas tree. While nearly every household in the U.S. has made the switch to artificial ones, for the tree purists who splurge each year on the real thing, it’s time to start shopping.

In 2022, Christmas tree buyers were forced to shop early, get creative, and make compromises on the type of tree they brought home due to record-high inflation, supply-chain issues, and a dry weather season that stunted the growth and yield of trees across the country, including on farms across the Philly region.

“[That] was not a great summer for trees because we had very little rain,” said Bob Colavita of Colavita Christmas Tree Farm in Morrisville last November.

Luckily for farmers and shoppers, there’s been some time to bounce back, “There’s going to be a shortage again, but not nearly as bad last year,” said John Constable, owner of Marsh Creek Tree Farm in Chester County.

According to the American Christmas Tree Association (ACTA), the same issues like high gas prices, rising inflation, and transportation costs will affect tree prices, estimating live trees to cost between $80 and $100 on average, but there won’t be the price hikes from last year.

“Although shortages of live Christmas trees have been cited in Long Island and Louisiana, there is no nationwide shortage,” said ACTA’s executive director, Jami Warner. “When shopping for a Christmas tree this year, consumers should start planning and shopping now to ensure they find a Christmas tree that’s right for them at the price they desire.”

We’ve found farms across Pennsylvania and New Jersey, all within about an hour of Center City. And we’ve included a couple of options where you can buy a fresh-cut tree right in Philadelphia, too. Here’s where to get a real Christmas tree in the region.

Yardley farm offers nearly a dozen varieties of trees. Swing by any day of the week, before 4:30 p.m. to cut or choose your own tree. And if you need delivery, call them to schedule. The farm makes fresh wreaths daily, too.

💵 Depends on the size,📍1761 Dolington Rd, Morrisville, PA 19067, ⌚ Mon.-Sun. 9 a.m.-8 p.m., 📞 215-493-3563, 🌐 colavitachristmastreefarm.com

This Buckingham farm is entering its 60th holiday season with a wide variety of trees, some as tall as 14 feet. Visit the farm to pick a pre-cut tree or live tree and claim a free holiday mug while supplies last. They also have a newly opened holiday shop.

💵 Depends on the size,📍4316 Mechanicsville Rd, Doylestown, PA 18902, ⌚ Mon.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 📞 215-794-7655, 🌐 facebook.com/mcardlesholidayfarm

Thirty minutes away from West Chester sits Clark’s Christmas Tree Farm. A 25-acre family-run business offering a variety of Douglas, Canaan, and Fraser fir trees, pre-cut or take a wagon out to cut one yourself. Prices are set based on how tall the tree is. Once there, you can check out their gift shop with new ornaments like bearded dragons, horseshoe crabs, and dinosaurs, plus take pictures with Santa.

💵 Depends on the size, 📍351 Pusey Mill Rd, Cochranville, PA 19330, ⌚ Mon.-Fri. 1 p.m.-7 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., 🌐 clarkschristmastrees.com

Hop on a wagon to the cut-your-own (saws are provided) tree section of this Chester County farm, which is open Friday through Sunday weekly. Choose from a variety of firs, like Douglas, Frazier, and Canaan, as well as blue spruce trees. Beyond trees, wreaths, decorations, and other items are available at the gift shop. They’re also the official suppliers of the Yuletide at Devon premium Christmas village, including 300 trees throughout the market and two 50-foot trees.

💵 $13 per foot,📍301 Marsh Rd, Elverson, PA 19520, ⌚ Fri.-Sun. 9 a.m.- 4 p.m., 📞 610-996-8733, 🌐 marshcreektree.com

Take a tour across 55 acres, pick your favorite tree, and then warm up with free hot cocoa. At any given time, at least four varieties of trees are for sale, as well as a selection of wreaths. They also offer hayrides during the weekend.

💵 Call ahead for pricing, 📞 610-269-9016, 📍1480 Hall Rd, West Chester, PA 19380, ⌚ Friday-Sundays 9 a.m.-4 p.m., 🌐 tricolortree.com, 🌐 facebook.com/tricolortreefarm

This family-owned business has two locations to cut your own tree. The West Chester farm offers Douglas firs averaging seven feet tall, and the Cochranville location has trees up to 10 feet tall. They also have a pre-cut Douglas and Fraser firs up to 11 feet available every day from 10 a.m.-9 p.m., at their pre-cut tree lot located at 1301 West Chester Pike in West Chester, PA.

💵 $70-$80 cash only, 📍2176 Gap Newport Pike, Cochranville, PA 19330, or 📍 1257 Westtown Thornton Rd, West Chester, PA 19382, ⌚ Sat.-Sun. 9 a.m.-4 p.m., 📞 610-344-7822, 🌐 wigginschristmastrees.com

Cut your own Fraser, Douglas, or Canaan fir, or pick out a fresh-cut Douglas or Fraser fir at this Phoenixville farm. For folks looking for family-friendly activities, their hayrides run every weekend from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Santa can be visited between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on select weekends. New to the farm this year, is a drive-thru holiday light show spanning a mile long through the 60 acres of the Christmas tree farm. There are so many lights, the owners lost count at well over 100,000 lights.

💵 For cutting your own, $85 is the minimum requirement to purchase ($15 per foot after that),📍1015 Pike Springs Rd, Phoenixville, PA 19460, ⌚ Mon.-Sun. 9 a.m.-4 p.m., 📞 610-935-8244, 📷 @yeagersfarm, 🌐 yeagersfarm.com

Linvilla returns with its free family hayrides to the Christmas tree fields, where you can choose your own trees. Most trees range from five to seven feet tall. Be sure to stop by Linvilla’s Farm Market, where you’ll find tons of baked goods, gift baskets, and more. $99.99, $69 prices vary.

💵 Cut your own $100, pre-cuts start at $69,📍137 W Knowlton Rd, Media, PA 19063, ⌚ Mon.-Sun. 9 a.m.-6 p.m., 📞 610-876-7116, 🌐 linvilla.com, 📷 @linvillaorchards

Enjoy complimentary hot cider as you take your pick of cut-your-own trees, ranging from blue spruce to Norman spruce and white pine, to Douglas fir and beyond. There is also a wide variety of precut trees to select from, like Fraser. Inside the barn, you’ll also find fresh wreaths and holly, and handknit hats, scarves, mittens, and fair trade ornaments.

💵 Fresh cuts range between $13-$15 per foot, and Balled and Burlaped trees cost $95-$175,📍797 Bridge Rd, Collegeville, PA 19426, ⌚ Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 8 a.m.-6 p.m., 📞 610-715-4640, 🌐corkumtreefarm.com

Little more than 30 minutes from Center City, cut your own Nordmann fir, Scotch pine, white pine, white spruce, or blue spruce (cut-your-own ends before 4:30 p.m. each day), or choose from a variety of precut trees. Be sure to take a look at its handmade wreaths as well and at its schedule of make-your-own tree decorations classes. Cut your own is limited. Cash, checks and credit cards.

💵 Choose and cut $90-135 or as low as $47 for pre-cuts,📍755 Forty Foot Rd, Hatfield, PA 19440, ⌚ Mon.-Fri. 1 p.m.-8 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., 📞 215-368-4542, 🌐 hagueschristmastrees.com

A fourth-generation, 160-acre farm, Westlake offers precut and cut-your-own Canaan fir trees. Afterward, check out the Christmas Barn, where you can visit Santa, watch trains, and browse an assortment of ornaments and gifts, plus order some hot chocolate and smores-making kits. Be sure to check them out early in December, because they close after Dec. 16.

💵 $16 per foot on pre-cuts or $18 per foot on cut your own,📍2421 N. Hill Camp Rd., Pottstown, PA 19465, ⌚ Thurs.-Sun. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., 📞 800-564-8733, 📷 @westlaketreefarms, 🌐 westlaketreefarms.com

Looking for Douglas fir, Canaan fir, and Blue spruce in Philly? Check out Rocky YoMo’s selection in South Philly. Payments are done in cash. If you don’t have a car, you can still pick your tree and get it delivered to your home.

💵 $60 and up, 📍1001 S. Front St, Philadelphia, PA 19147, ⌚Mon.-Sun. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., 🌐 facebook.com/RockyYoMos

While most people buy their Christmas trees from nearby tree farms that grow trees locally, pop-up Christmas tree sellers often source trees from the places they’re native to. For instance, Trev’s Trees sources its Douglas firs from places like Oregon and its Fraser firs from North Carolina. This means you get high-quality trees with ease.

💵 Depends on the size, 📍59 E City Avenue, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004, 📍50 E. Wynnewood Rd, Wynnewood, PA 19096, more locations on website, ⌚ Mon.-Fri. noon-5 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 9 a.m.-9 p.m., 🌐 trevstrees.com

You’d have to walk 13 miles to see every tree planted across this farm’s 16-acre field. Cut your own with a provided saw or let a staff member do the job. All trees on the farm are available for purchase and range in size from one to 12-plus feet tall — all priced at $60 no matter the size. It is strongly recommended that you arrive before 4 p.m. The tree farm closes up shop for the season on Dec. 17, so get your tree before then.

💵 $60 cash only,📍 665 Royal Ave., Franklinville, N.J. 08322, ⌚Sat.-Sun. 10 a.m.-4 p.m, 📧 admin@bellyacresnj.com, 🌐 bellyacresnj.com

Offering a handful of precut and cut-your-own trees, Exley’s welcomes families to two different locations for both Christmas trees and holiday activities, where on the weekends you can hop on a hayride to Santa Land at the Sewell farm and see holiday-themed houses and Santa himself. The Monroeville farm also has a gingerbread house and other holiday attractions perfect for photo opportunities.

💵 Depends on the size,📍 1535 Tanyard Rd., Sewell, N.J. 08080 ⌚ Tues.-Sun. 9 a.m.-5 p.m, or📍1512 Monroeville Rd., Monroeville, NJ 08343, ⌚ Fri-Sun. 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., 📞 856-468-5949, 🌐 exleyschristmastreefarms.com

Pick a tree and enjoy a “sleigh ride” along a decorated path toward the Christmas trees at this small, family-owned farm. Blue and Norway spruces, concolor and Canaan firs, as well as a few Douglas firs will be available to cut yourself with no tree more than eight feet. Cash and Venmo only.

💵 $70 and under,📍 101 Idle Lake Rd, Franklinville, NJ 08322, ⌚ Sat.-Sun. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 📞 609-685-6234, 🌐 facebook.com/Triple-Dog-Dare-You-Christmas-Tree-Farm

This article has been updated since it was first published. Steven White contributed to this article.