These Evansville-area Christmas tree farms are open despite shortages elsewhere

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — If you're looking for the full Clark Griswold pick-a-tree-and-cut-it-down experience this Christmas in Vanderburgh County, you have a couple of options.

Two family-owned establishments — Goebel Farms and Sycamore Valley Tree Farm — both run by generations of family, have started selling their trees. 

Demand is high and supply is low, however, so it's no surprise there have been reports of shortages across the country. That won't change anytime soon.

"It'll probably be a shortage for the next decade, because it takes 10 years to raise a tree to maturity," said James Niehaus, who owns Sycamore Valley Tree Farm. 

Sycamore Valley Tree Farm is located at 7120 New Harmony Road, and is open Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Monday and Friday afternoons from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Customers there can either cut the tree fresh or tag it for later. They also offer pre-cut Fraser firs, white pines, Scotch pines and Norway spruce. They range in height from 6 to 8 feet. 

Sycamore Valley Tree Farm accepts cash and checks.

Goebel Farms, located at 4745 W. Boonville-New Harmony Road, will be selling a limited number of trees this year. 

There will be no pre-tagging trees this year after an over-selling of small trees last year. They're offering close to 1,000 pre-cut trees in water ready for sale.

The trees offered here are Scotch pines, white pines, Virginia pines, Fraser firs, spruces and Canaan firs. Their hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Other Tri-State tree farms

Dubois County, Indiana: Scherle Tree Farm; 825 N. Crystal Road, Crystal, Indiana; 812-482-6486.

Gibson County, Indiana: Country Barn; near Indiana 64 East at County Road 350 East near Princeton, Indiana; 812-386-7091.

Pike County, Indiana: Potts' Pine Products; 4590 S. Royalty Road, Winslow, Indiana; 812-789-5213.

White County, Illinois: Phillipstown Christmas Tree Farm; 1771 County Road 1980 East, Phillipstown, Illinois; 618-966-3641.

Rayonna Burton-Jernigan covers diversity and culture-related topics and can be contacted at rbj@courierpress.com or (812) 454-1765.