Christmas Trees
Choose & Cut Christmas Trees
Santa's Christmas Tree Forest is a working tree farm. Guests have the unique opportunity to cut a real Florida Christmas tree in the field. That's right! We provide the saw, we provide the live tree, and you get to do the cutting! Please note that traditional trees cannot be grown in Florida, and only the trees pictured at the bottom of this page are available for cutting. If you prefer a pre-cut traditional type of tree, please select Fresh Cut Northern Trees from the menu to the right to view our selection and pricing. ADMISSION TICKETS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL VISITORS. Click here for Ticket Information.
Choose & Cut Pricing
For our 35th Anniversary of providing quality choose and cut trees to the central Florida community, we are offering any tree in the field that you choose, cut and carry without assistance from our staff for just
$35!
Taller trees requiring any assistance from staff to cut, bring down, and/or carry will require a minimum $40 handling charge and must be scheduled for a pick up at a time that is convenient for the farm.
How to Cut a Tree
You may choose to walk into the field, or hop on board our hayride and we will give you a tour of our 17 acres of Christmas trees. That's over 17,000 trees to choose from! Upon disembarking, we will provide you with a saw, and then you “Choose” and “Cut” that perfect tree. Feel free to bring your own saw, as ours dull quickly in season, but only handsaws are permitted on the property, and please no battery or motorized saws of any kind.
Choosing a tree is based on individual taste. Examine the tree closely for aphids or other bugs. Notice the amount of dead needles close to the trunk. As trees grow, the needles on the inside of the tree die since they are not exposed to the sun. We will shake these needles out of the tree during processing, but please realize that the needles may make the tree appear more full than it is when viewing it in the field. Have a family member stand next to the tree and estimate the height of the tree based on the known height of the family member, or bring a tape measure on your visit. Be certain of your choice before cutting, because once a tree is cut, it must be purchased by the guest who cut it.
Cut your tree close to the ground leaving enough trunk remaining to be able to place your tree in a stand and put presents underneath it. Please do not "top" a tree by cutting a larger tree halfway up unless you have received permission from the farm to do so. Due to insurance regulations, only the bow saw provided by the farm or hand saws may be used to cut the tree, and chainsaws or other motorized saws are not permitted. The relatively soft wood of our Florida-grown trees is not difficult to saw. Our staff will not be available to provide any assistance with cutting. The hayride will bring you and your tree back to the processing area, or you may choose to carry it in. The tree field is constantly monitored, so please feel free to ask questions from the staff that you will encounter.
Your tree will be tagged by our staff with a two-part tree tag before you board the hayride. Carefully retain your part of the tag until you reach the processing area. Remain at the processing area until the number on your tag number is called by the staff. Staff will place your name and the price of your tree on the tag. They will ask if you would like the tree drilled for one of our rebar spike stands (available for purchase). Then you may proceed to any register to pay for your tree. You will need the receipt and tree tag to claim your tree at the pick up areas, so please place it in a secure location.
At the tree processing area after your tree has been priced, it will be placed in a shaker to remove dead needles and critters. Your tree will be netted, then you may choose to have it drilled for a rebar spike stand (available for purchase). Netting and drilling are complimentary. As staffing allows, we offer a complimentary tie/load service to tie your tree on top of your vehicle or load it into the bed of your truck. There are often lines in our tying area, so please expect some delays if you choose this option. It is recommended that you bring a sheet or tarp to protect your car from sap or scratches. You may also want to wrap the tree if traveling any distance. We will provide twine for guests to tie the tree on their vehicle. Remember, THE BUTT OF THE TREE MUST ALWAYS FACE FORWARD. For instructions on how to tie a tree on your car, please watch this video from our friends at Jones Family Tree Farm. Please click "Tree Care" on the menu to the right to learn how to best handle your tree after getting it home. For more information on the types of U-cut trees, please scroll down. If viewing on a mobile device, click "Desktop" at the bottom of the page.
Fresh Cut Northern Christmas Trees
Maybe you remember a special type of tree from your youth, a tree that can’t be grown in our Florida heat and sandy soil. Well, Santa’s Christmas Tree Forest has a tree for you too! We visit farms in North Carolina and Michigan to find the best quality trees available. These are already cut, and are completely different from our U-cut selection. ADMISSION TICKETS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL VISITORS who are purchasing a tree from our pre-cut tree lot. Click here for Ticket Information.
2024 Northern Grown Pre-cut Tree Pricing
On the lot this season, we will offer Blue Spruce, 7' Douglas Fir in limited amounts after 11/26, 7' Scotch Pine in limited amounts, Black Hills Spruce and Fraser Fir trees. The availability of any particular tree on any one day is NOT GUARANTEED. For a point of reference, a 7'-8' Fraser Fir may run $90 and up, while a 7'-8' Black Hills Spruce is around $80. All of our trees are PREMIUM GRADE except for Blue Spruce under 10' that are Grade 1. Our small staff is unable to answer every call about specific tree availability, and availability changes hourly. Please CONTACT US by email for any additional tree information.
Trees are individually priced and tagged for your convenience, and pricing is non-negotiable. Trees are measured at the farm from which they are received. We do not measure the trees again for accuracy. It is recommended that you measure your ceiling before coming and bring your own tape measure to get an accurate tree height in the lot. Most of our Fraser Firs were grown in North Carolina, and all other trees types were grown in Michigan. To learn more information about these tree types and tips on selection and care, please visit the National Christmas Tree Association's Tree Types page or Michigan State University's Real Tree page with photos of each type.
Selecting a Northern Grown Tree
Unlike your typical roadside tree lot, our fresh cut trees are delivered on a refrigerated truck, sometimes arriving with the mountain snow still fresh on the branches. When they arrive at the farm, we store many of them in a refrigerated building until they are displayed. To display the trees, the trunk is given a fresh cut and the tree is immediately placed in a stand with water. Hundreds of trees are on display in our oak-shaded lot, so that you can see exactly what the tree will look like when you get it home. We are sure that you will find our prices competitive with other area tree lots, and our quality, service and selection superior!
Selecting a tree is based on individual taste. Please take your time wandering among the trees in our large display area to find that perfect tree. Once you choose a tree, wave down a tree sales team member to help you. Please DO NOT REMOVE TREE TAGS yourself. Our staff will see to it that your tag is properly marked for the cashier to ring your tree, and that your tree is removed from the lot and placed in the pick up area. Proceed to any register with your part of the tag to pay for the tree. You will need the receipt and tree tag to claim your tree at the pick up areas, so please secure it.
As staffing allows, we offer a complimentary tie/load service to tie your tree on top of your vehicle or load it into the bed of your truck. However, this service cannot be guaranteed at all times. There are often lines in our tying area, so please expect some delays if you choose this option. It is recommended that you bring a sheet or tarp to protect your car from sap or scratches. You may also want to wrap the tree if traveling any distance. We will provide twine for guests to tie the tree on their vehicle. Remember, THE BUTT OF THE TREE MUST ALWAYS FACE FORWARD. For instructions on how to tie a tree on your car, please watch this video from our friends at Jones Family Tree Farm.
Tree Care
Caring for your fresh cut Christmas tree is much like caring for a fresh bouquet of flowers. Both should have a fresh cut on the stem, should be placed in water as soon as possible, and should never be allowed to dry out. Trees should be placed in a cooler location in your home, not by a fireplace or heat ceiling duct, and not in a place where the sun will be on it through a window.
Easy set-up spike tree stands are available for purchase at the farm. We drill a hole in the bottom of the tree to line the tree up perfectly with the tip, and then the stand can simply be tapped onto the rebar spike when you get the tree home. The generous 3 quart bowl that comes with the stand will keep your tree watered for at least 24 hours eliminating the need for frequent refills. Once the tree has settled into its new location, it will stop taking up water to a noticeable extent.
Fresh Cut Northern Christmas Trees
Maybe you remember a special type of tree from your youth, a tree that can’t be grown in our Florida heat and sandy soil. Well, Santa’s Christmas Tree Forest has a tree for you too! We visit farms in North Carolina and Michigan to find the best quality trees available. ADMISSION TICKETS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL VISITORS who are purchasing a tree from our pre-cut tree lot. Click here for Ticket Information.
2023 Northern Grown Pre-cut Tree Pricing
On the lot this season, we will offer Blue Spruce, Douglas Fir, Scotch Pine, Black Hills Spruce and Fraser Fir trees, but the availability of any particular tree on any one day is NOT GUARANTEED. For a point of reference, a 7′-8′ Fraser Fir is $90 and up, while a 7′-8′ Scotch Pine is $67. All of our trees are PREMIUM GRADE except for Blue Spruce under 10′ that are Grade 1 and a limited number of 8′ Fraser Firs. Our small staff is unable to answer every call about specific tree availability, and availability changes hourly. Please CONTACT US by email for any additional tree information.
Trees are individually priced and tagged for your convenience, and pricing is non-negotiable. Trees are measured at the farm from which they are received. We do not measure the trees again for accuracy. It is recommended that you measure your ceiling before coming and bring your own tape measure to get an accurate tree height in the lot. Most of our Fraser Firs were grown in North Carolina, and all other trees types were grown in Michigan. To learn more information about these tree types and tips on selection and care, please visit the National Christmas Tree Association’s Tree Types page or Michigan State University’s Real Tree page with photos of each type.
Selecting a Northern Grow Tree
Unlike your typical roadside tree lot, our fresh cut trees are delivered on a refrigerated truck, sometimes arriving with the mountain snow still fresh on the branches. When they arrive at the farm, we store many of them in a refrigerated building until they are displayed. To display the trees, the trunk is given a fresh cut and the tree is immediately placed in a stand with water. Hundreds of trees are on display in our oak-shaded lot, so that you can see exactly what the tree will look like when you get it home. We are sure that you will find our prices competitive with other area tree lots, and our quality, service and selection superior!
Selecting a tree is based on individual taste. Please take your time wandering among the trees in our large display area to find that perfect tree. Once you choose a tree, wave down a tree sales team member to help you. Please DO NOT REMOVE TREE TAGS yourself. Our staff will see to it that your tag is properly marked for the cashier to ring your tree, and that your tree is removed from the lot and placed in the pick up area. Proceed to any register with your part of the tag to pay for the tree. You will need the receipt and tree tag to claim your tree at the pick up areas, so please secure it.
As staffing allows, we offer a complimentary tie/load service to tie your tree on top of your vehicle or load it into the bed of your truck. However, this service cannot be guaranteed at all times. There are often lines in our tying area, so please expect some delays if you choose this option. It is recommended that you bring a sheet or tarp to protect your car from sap or scratches. You may also want to wrap the tree if traveling any distance. We will provide twine for guests to tie the tree on their vehicle. Remember, THE BUTT OF THE TREE MUST ALWAYS FACE FORWARD. For instructions on how to tie a tree on your car, please watch this video from our friends at Jones Family Tree Farm. Please click “Tree Care” on the menu to the right to learn how to best handle your tree after getting it home.
Christmas Wreaths
A handmade wreath welcomes guests with the holiday spirit. Enjoy crafted wreaths fashioned on the farm daily from fresh cut Fraser fir greenery. Our basic wreaths are available in three sizes, with inside diameters of 12” (Small), 16” (Medium), and 20” (Large). Other shapes and sizes are available, and selection may vary from week to week. A small undecorated wreath usually runs about $20 or less. Due to the variety of decorated wreaths that we offer, each wreath is individually priced and will run anywhere from $25-$60.
Live Potted Christmas Trees and Plants
We are not able to offer potted trees at this time. If this changes, the variety will be listed on this page. We are carrying our very popular Christmas Cactus with a variety of bright flowering buds this season.
Santa’s Florida Grown Choose and Cut Trees
Sand Pine
The Sand Pine is the most popular and traditional-looking Florida Christmas tree. Often seen growing wild in Florida, the Sand Pine can thrive in almost any soil. These trees grow up to 2 feet per year, and on our farm, some trees reach over 18 feet in height.
Red Cedar
The Red Cedar is an evergreen which is actually a variety of juniper. It can grow 40-50 feet tall and can spread 8-15 feet in a sunny location. The wood of the red cedar is fragrant and the foliage is a bright or dark green. The leaves have sawtooth serrations and are prickly to the touch.
Arizona Cypress
The Arizona Cypress is a fast growing evergreen tree that grows well in the Florida heat. The foliage is lacy and silver-blue. The form is upright, broad and conical with weeping branches. It is a beautiful tree for those wanting something a little out of the ordinary.
Our planted trees do not grow well balled or in grow bags, so we are unable to offer this option.
For more information on selecting your tree, please see the National Christmas Tree Association site or Pick Your Own Christmas Tree.
Basic Tree Care
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Transporting a fresh cut tree for any distance on top of your vehicle may cause it to dry out due to the wind. If this is necessary, it is best to wrap your tree in a protective covering. If you would like to wrap your tree for transporting, you may want to bring an old sheet or blanket, or we offer a large Christmas tree removal bag, similar to an oversized garbage bag, that may be purchased at any register.
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Upon reaching your destination, make a fresh cut straight across the trunk 1/4″ to 1/2″ from the base before placing it in water if your tree has been without water for more than a couple of hours. If sap appears to have sealed over the trunk, this is indication that a fresh cut is needed. Place the tree in water as soon as possible. The National Christmas Tree Association recommends using plain tap water for your tree, as research has shown that additives, such as aspirin or sugar, are not beneficial and may actually be detrimental to a tree’s moisture retention. A tree may be stored in a cool shaded area for several days in a bucket of water. To display a tree indoors, it should be placed in a sturdy stand of appropriate size with adequate water holding capacity, generally one quart of water per inch of stem diameter. Check the base of the tree daily to assure that the level of water does not go below the trunk base of the tree. If the tree should ever dry out, a seal will form over the base and it would be necessary to make a new fresh cut across the trunk to allow the tree to take up moisture. Do not place trees in front of windows that receive a lot of sunlight, and keep away from fireplaces and heating ducts.
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Your Christmas tree originated in a natural agricultural environment and is often transported outside the vehicle. Occasionally, insects or other wildlife may be found in your tree. We take steps to prevent this, such as using ladybugs in the trees in the field and shaking trees to remove the insects. However, to help assure that no insects are taking up residence, you may choose to hose down your tree with water, or spray it with a household insect spray labeled for indoor use with ornamental plants and evergreens and then hosing it, before bringing it into your home.
One insect that thrives on pine trees is the aphid. Sometimes confused with a spider or tic, this tiny insect is completely harmless to people. Occassionally, a tree may have aphid eggs that hatch our after bringing it into the house. The insects will die and fall to the floor creating a mess. If found after setup, this insect may simply be vacuumed from the flooring, or the tree may be taken outside and treated as recommended above.
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When ready to display your tree, choose a place in your home away from heat sources (fireplaces, heaters, heating vents, etc.) Fresh cut trees are no more flammable than a wet leaf. However, common sense dictates a few rules of caution. Inspect lights, cords, and connections prior to placing them on the tree to be sure that they are in good working order and are not frayed. Only cool burning lights should be used, lighting instructions should be followed carefully to avoid overloading circuits, lights should be unplugged when unattended. Monitor the tree for freshness, and remove the tree from your house if it is particularly dry. Do not burn your tree in a wood stove or fireplace or use the wood for a campfire on which food will be cooked.
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Christmas trees are biodegradable, which means that they may be reused and recycled. After Christmas, trees may be chipped and used as mulch. Many communities offer recycling and mulching programs. Trees are often placed in ponds to create a refuge for fish in a favorite fishing pond. Check newspapers and the internet, or call your local county or city government to find recycling programs in your area.
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Wreaths
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Basic wreath
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Basic wreath with bow
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Potted Tree Care and Planting
Caring for a live Christmas tree is very similar to caring for a fresh cut tree. Adequate water should be used to keep the soil damp, but not flooded, while in the container, and it should be kept close to a sunny window if possible. Keeping potted trees inside for more than two weeks is not recommended, so they should be planted as soon as possible after seasonal use. Keep the tree outside in filtered sun for a few days to get it acclimated before planting. Dig a hole slightly larger than the pot, tap the container to remove the tree while leaving the soil on the root system, and place the tree in the hole. Back fill and tamp the soil around the root ball to insure no air pockets remain. Build a dam several inches out around the trunk to hold water. Fill the dam with water every day until the tree is well established, which may take weeks. Frequent watering is key for the survival of the tree. Fertilizer is not required for the first few months. Then a general purpose fertilizer may be sprinkled at least a foot away from the trunk as needed.
