I don’t know how scientific or reliable these numbers are, but most Americans decide to decorate for Christmas on the weekend after Thanksgiving, or shortly thereafter.
We scoff at all the Christmas marketing that appears in our streaming services the day after Labor Day. It’s not even Halloween yet, we moan.
We’re a little warmer to the idea of decorations popping up in November. Still, we wait until after Thanksgiving.
Yes, we pretend the reason is due to a desire to fully enjoy the air of gratitude the Thanksgiving holiday brings. But let’s be honest: we’re all just too busy and disorganized to decorate for Christmas.
Most people, regardless of when they decide to hang the lights and mistletoe, will choose an artificial tree. The American Christmas Tree Association (yes, that’s a thing) says the ratio is something like 80:20.
This is where my family veers from the norm. We enjoy the aroma of a live tree, and the process — sappy needles and all — behind it. The whole affair has become a tradition in our growing family.
The bucolic drive into the crisp, country air, Christmas ditties carrying our spirits. The hot cocoa. The precise art of choosing the perfect tree. The science of hauling it home.
The Charlie Brown Christmas vinyl spinning as we hang the ornaments. And the imbibing of egg nog and cozy ambiance.
I don’t have any reliable data on the number of Americans who decide to decorate after Thanksgiving with a live tree. Chances are, it’s a smaller number. (It’s not for everybody.)
Even if you are like our family, chances are you already have a tree farm you frequent.
That’s OK. This story is for the people who like the idea, yet haven’t taken the plunge. Maybe you’d like to give it a try.
If that’s you, here’s a list of Christmas tree farms in our area that offer the experience you’re after. (It’s not exhaustive. Send me a note at dillon@ashlandsource.com if you think of others.)
Richland County
- Kleerview Farm: This year, the 230-acre farm at 2454 Baughman Road in Bellville will be open from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, starting Nov. 22. On weekends, the hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (They’ll be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Black Friday.) Varieties include Blue Spruce, Scotch Pine, Fraser Fir, White Pine and Norway Spruce. They’ll be open through Dec. 21. Staff can cut the tree, or you can. Get to the fields by walking or by staff driving a cart. They also shake, net and load the tree if you want. Prices start at $50 and go up to $85.
- Wade Christmas Tree Farm: The 200-acre farm at 6715 Garber Road in Bellville will be open everyday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. everyday through Dec. 21. (Closed Thanksgiving.) Varieties include Scotch Pine, White Pine, Norway Spruce, Serbian Spruce, Blue Spruce. Prices are determined by the foot. Pines are $7 per foot and others are $10 per foot. Get to the trees by driving out there. Assistance with cutting can be given, but generally it’s expected you cut the tree with your own saw or with one provided by the farm.
Ashland County
- Eichel’s Tree Farm: The 19-acre farm at 11844 Williams Road in Homerville will be open starting Nov. 28 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The farm will open from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays through Thursdays. (Closed Mondays.) The farm is located in Medina County between West Salem and Homerville, about 16 miles northeast of Ashland. Lights will start on Thanksgiving night until New Year’s Day, and turn on at dusk. Call 419-853-4282 for tree varieties available and prices.
- Sugargove Tree Farm: The 85-acre farm at 1619 Township Road 1455 in Ashland will be open starting Nov. 28 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and then Wednesday-Friday from noon to 5 p.m.; Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays noon to 4 p.m. They are closed Monday and Tuesday. Varieties include White Pine, Norway Spruce, Colorado Blue Spruce, Fraser Fir and Canaan Fir. Prices range from $45-$117. Horse-drawn and tractor-drawn carriages available to cart you to the trees. Wagon rides, saws, tree shaking, baling, and loading assistance are customer services provided at no additional cost.
Knox County
- Arubtus Glen Christmas Tree Farm: The family farm at 22475 Zion Road in Gambier opened for the season on Nov. 22. They will hold hours every weekend from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. while supplies last. They’re also open Black Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Access the trees by tractor or by walking. The farm has saws if you don’t bring one. Prices are $55 for any sized Canaan Fir tree.
- Bob’s Christmas Trees: The family-owned farm is located at 13980 Old Mansfield Road in Mount Vernon. Opening day is Nov. 28. Call 740-501-7995 for more information.
- Pleasant View Pines: The farm at 15742 Pleasant View in Mount Vernon will open on Nov. 28 from noon to 5 p.m. On Nov. 29, the hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Nov. 30 will be open from noon to 5 p.m. The farm opens again Dec. 5-7. Check its website for hours. The cut-your-own farm has Canaan Fir trees that are priced $50 for any below 10 feet. There is a smaller collection of large trees priced at $75.
- Woodridge Tree Farm: The farm at 801 Baker Road in Utica (on the Knox and Licking County border) opened on Nov. 22 and will hold 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. hours on Nov. 28-30, Dec. 5-7 and Dec. 12-14. You cut and carry the tree. They have Fraser Fir trees from six to 12 feet tall. Prices range from $50 to $140. (They only accept cash or checks.)
Licking County
Timbuk Farms & Garden Center: Timbuk Farms is one of Central Ohio’s oldest and largest Christmas tree farms. The first crop was planted in 1952 and the farm now spans 300 acres. It is located at 2030 Timbuk Road, Granville. Trees can range from $20 to $140 depending on size, condition and type of tree (six different trees are readily available). Opening on Black Friday, Nov. 28, operational hours run 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Sunday, Dec. 21. Check out the Events page for the times Santa will be in town. Pro Tip: Avoid crowds by bringing the family on a weekday