Local tree farms open for the season

Thanksgiving dinner is over, you’re stuffed, and want nothing more than to take a nap on the sofa.

But there’s a tradition - one that can’t be broken. It’s time to go out and get the Christmas tree.

Some folks like to cut their own, while others prefer to have their tree cut for them.

Today, going to a Christmas tree farm is about more than just chopping down a tree.

Many tree farms offer family activities such as horse drawn wagon rides, cow train rides, bonfires, visits with reindeer, Christmas shops and free hot chocolate and popcorn. And if you’re lucky, Santa may make a visit.

Melvin and Laurie Koelling own and manage Tannenbaum Farms in Mason.

They started a Christmas shop with ornaments and other items about 18 years ago. Visits from Santa Claus started about four years ago.

“We wanted to offer a full range of activities to make the customer’s experience complete,” said Laurie Koelling. “The wagon rides, reindeer, all of that is always complimentary. There is no charge for that or the tree shaking or wrapping. That is just part of the experience.”

Needle retention - how long the needles stay on the tree - is the key to finding the best tree, Koelling said. Daily watering is crucial, too.

“Keep water in the stand at all times, and don’t let the trunk get dry,” she said. “That’s the biggest thing - the biggest chore.”

Tree shopping

Some places to go to find your own fresh Christmas tree:

Ingham County

Austin Tree Farm

2840 Okemos Road, Okemos.

Contact: 351-3870.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 28, 29, and 30. After that, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 6, 7, 13 and 14.

Varieties: Blue spruce, white pine and firs.

Cost: $30-$75

D'Lamater's Winter-fresh Christmas Tree Farm

1002 Kinneville Road, Leslie.

Contact: 589-8521.

Hours: Open 7 days: noon to dark Mondays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to dark Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Opened early and will be open Nov. 28 to Dec. 24; call first to make sure they haven’t closed down.

Varieties: Fraser fir, balsam fir, Douglas fir, blue spruce, Scotch pine and white pine.

Prices: Start at $24.53 and up.

Star Tree Farm

1822 Willoughby Road, Mason.

Contact: 282-4539

Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 28 and 29. After that, open 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, (closed Sundays) through Dec. 20.

Varieties: Scotch pine, white pine, blue spruce and balsam fir.

Prices: $33-$63, cash or check only.

Tannenbaum Farms

2515 Sandhill Road, Mason.

Contact: 332-2094.

Hours: The farm opened early this year, on Nov. 22. Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 29 only. Open 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Open until Dec. 24.

Varieties: Fraser fir, blue spruce, Scotch pine and white pine, from 6 feet to 17 feet tall, for you to cut.

Prices: $25-$40 for 6-7 foot trees, priced by height and species. Larger trees go up to $125. Also, selection of pre-cut trees in the barn.

Warner's Pines

2110 W. Holmes Road, Holt.

Contact: 204-6869

Hours: Opens Nov. 28, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. After that, noon to 10 p.m. seven days a week, through Dec. 24.

Varieties: Fraser fir, concolor fir, blue spruce, Scotch pine, white pine and Black Hills spruce.

Prices: $30 and up

Eaton County

Carpenter Tree Farm

11243 Barnes Road, Eaton Rapids.

Contact: 663-1037.

Hours: Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 28. After that, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Nov. 28 through Dec. 21.

Varieties: Fraser fir, balsam fir, Douglas fir, concolor fir (limited), Norway spruce, blue spruce, white spruce and white pine.

Prices: $35 any size - any type.

Charlie's Christmas Tree Farm

9881 Rossman Highway, Eaton Rapids.

Contact: 646-8961

Hours: 9 a.m. to dark Nov. 28. After that, 12:30 p.m. to dark weekdays, 9 a.m. to dark weekends.

Varieties: Fraser fir, concolor fir, blue spruce and white pine.

Prices: $15-$60.

Good's Christmas Trees

999 W. Kalamo Highway, Charlotte.

Contact: 231-2080, 231-2042, 543-7864.

Hours: Opens Nov. 28, 10 a.m. to dark. After that, 4 p.m. to dark weekdays, 9 a.m. to dark Saturday, 1 p.m. to dark Sunday. Varieties: Fraser fir, Canaan fir, balsam fir, blue spruce, Norway spruce and white pine.

Prices: $20 and up - Cut your own (cutting assistance available).Some pre-cuts.

Reverman Farms

16500 Forest Hill Road, Grand Ledge.

Contact: 627-6204.

Hours: 4 p.m. to dark Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to dark Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Open Nov. 28 until Christmas Day.

Varieties: Fraser fir, concolor fir, balsam fir, Douglas fir, Canaan fir, Korean fir, blue spruce, white spruce, Norway spruce and white pine.

Prices All trees $40, U-Cut and pre-cut.

Timber Acres Tree Farm

7000 Johnson Road, Potterville.

Contact: 881-3307

Hours: Opens Nov. 28, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. After that, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sunday by appointment only. Open through Dec. 20.

Varieties: Colorado blue spruce, white spruce and concolor fir.

Price: $25 each, any size, U-Cut or We-Cut.

Clinton County

Discount Tree Farms

4138 Clark Road, Bath.

Contact: 676-8733.

Hours: Opens Nov. 28 from 9 a.m. to dark. After that, noon to dark Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to dark Saturday and Sunday. Open through Dec. 23.

Varieties: Fraser fir, balsam fir, concolor fir, blue spruce, white spruce, Norway spruce, white pine and Scotch Pine.

Prices: $25 and up. Also a selection of pre-cut trees.

Peacock Road Family Farm

11864 Peacock Road, Laingsburg.

Contact: 651-9193.

Hours: Opened Nov. 22. Open 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, noon to 7 p.m. Sunday, to Dec. 24. Closed Thanksgiving.

Varieties: Fraser fir, Douglas fir, blue spruce, white spruce and concolor fir. Also offer Scotch pine and white pine in pre-cut lot area.

Prices: $40 and up.

VanAtta’s Flower Shop

90008 Old M-78, Haslett.

Contact: 339-1142

Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 25 through Dec. 24 (close at 4 p.m. Dec. 24).

Varieties: Scotch pine, white pine, blue spruce, Douglas Fir, balsam fir, concolor fir and Fraser fir.

Prices: $35 and up.

Ionia County

Goose Creek Tree Farm

1774 Divine Highway, Lyons.

Contact: (888) 945-3701.

Hours: Dawn to dusk, Nov. 28 through Dec. 24.

Varieties: Norway spruce, blue spruce, white spruce, Fraser fir, concolor fir and Caanan fir, fresh cut and u-cut.

Prices: $40-$50 U-Cut; $15-$50 fresh cut.

Shiawassee County

Howard Tree Farm

4645 Jacobs Road, Perry.

Contact: 648-6420.

Hours: Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 28, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 29, noon to 5 p.m. Nov. 30. December hours 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. Sundays, through Dec. 21.

Varieties: Fraser fir, Balsam fir, Colorado blue spruce, Norway spruce and Scotch pine.

Prices: $30-$50.