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This year, I am ready for rockin’ around the Christmas tree like nobody’s business. Usually I can wait a good amount of time after Thanksgiving to bust out the holiday décor, but not this year. When it comes to holiday decorating, there are plenty of items to take care of: stockings above the fireplace, lights outside, but most importantly, the Christmas tree.
No matter what you do, do not commit the number one Christmas sin: put up a fake Christmas tree. Where is that lovely fresh pine scent? What about the family experience of going to pick out the perfect tree? You certainly don’t get either by putting together some dusty ol’ thing that’s been stored in your basement all year long. Anyways, I digress.
When it comes time to select the perfect tree (or imperfectly perfect, a la Charlie Brown), here are a few local Christmas tree farms, nurseries and garden centers where you will be able to find the one that’s right for you:
Candy Cane Christmas Tree Farm, located at 4780 Seymour Lake Rd., Oxford, offers a variety of Christmas trees, including Fraser, Concolor, Korean, spruce and pine varieties. The farm is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Santa will pay everyone a visit on weekends beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6 and Sunday, Dec. 7, as well as Saturday, Dec. 13 and Sunday, Dec. 14.
Trees range from 6 feet to 12 feet tall and are all “snowfresh,” meaning they are of the highest quality and include services like cleaning, wrapping and bottom trimming. Wreaths, garland and tree stands are also available for purchase for all of your decorating needs!
If you feel guilty about chopping down a tree just to throw it away, you might be interested in one of Candy Cane’s Potted Living Trees, which are lightweight and can be displayed for up to 10 days, then planted outside. Potted trees are available in Blue spruce, Black Hill spruce, Serbian spruce, Norway spruce and Fraser fir varieties.
Coleman’s Farm Market, 5415 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti, is where my family and I have gotten our Christmas tree for many years in a row. You won’t be able to chop your own tree down at Coleman’s, but there are over 11 different varieties of trees standing up on display for you to choose from. That’s not including all of the wreaths, stands and more that you can purchase, too!
Coleman’s is full-service when it comes to trees, meaning if you’re a first timer, you don’t need to worry about borrowing a buddy’s truck and heading to the hardware store to load up on gloves and bungee cords to secure it. They will give the base of the tree a fresh cut, get it all tied up, load it onto whatever vehicle you’re driving and send you merrily on your way.
If you’re unfamiliar with all the various types of Christmas trees out there (and there are plenty!) take a peek at Coleman’s site before you go anywhere. They provide a nice explanation of common types of trees, including texture, scent and shape, as well as needle retention, which is very important—it means how well trees tend to hang onto their needles once they get into your house and start to dry out.
Plymouth Nursery, 9900 Ann Arbor Rd. W., Plymouth, is another local retailer that offers “living” Christmas trees. At Plymouth Nursery, you’ll find potted Baby Blue spruce trees that allow you to plant your holiday decoration once January rolls around.
If you’d rather stick to your usual routine, fragrant fresh-cut trees include Fraser fir, Douglas fir, Concolor fir, Noble fir, Balsam fir and Scotch pine. Once you find a tree that catches your eye, you’ll get a free fresh end cut, bailing and loading.
A huge variety of wreaths, bows, tree stands and even ornaments are available at Plymouth Nursery. One stop decorating! Pick up a flyer and you’ll find a coupon for a free poinsettia with a $19.99 purchase, as well as $10 off any fresh cut Christmas tree 6 feet or larger.
Addison-Oaks Christmas Tree Farm, 355 Lake George Rd., Oakland, has been producing Christmas trees for over 25 years. The trees are originally grown and hand trimmed (instead of trimmed with power tools) in order to achieve the perfect shape. Varieties include Fraser fir, Balsam fir, Douglas fir, Concolor fir, Colorado Blue spruce, Black Hills spruce, Norway spruce, White pine and Austrian pine.
The farm is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and noon to 5 p.m. on weekends. During weekend hours, stop by designated warm-up areas to purchase hot chocolate, hot cider, baked goods and snacks. No matter what day of the week you’re there, saws and twine are always provided, and workers will always help with the cutting and carrying of your tree. All trees are tagged with their respective price, and a limited supply of bargain trees is available for just $19!
Be sure to stop by the Wreath Shop, where you’ll find a selection of handcrafted wreaths, garland, decorative bows, tree stands and more.
George’s Livonia Gardens, 31405 7 Mile Rd., Livonia, is a garden center and florist with a grand selection of Christmas décor. Christmas trees (including Fraser firs) are available, and if your budget and space require something smaller, you can purchase a Charlie Brown tree, complete with bow and stand for under $25.
If you’re planning to fully deck the halls, of course you’ll also need a few other decorations, which George’s also has. Festive door swags, evergreen hanging baskets and wreaths are available for purchase, and if you don’t see anything that instantly catches your eye, you can customize your own order!
George’s is open every day of the week from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., except Sunday, when business hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The Produce Station, 1629 S. State St., Ann Arbor, has perhaps one of the coolest and most unheard of services when it comes to Christmas trees: delivery! If you’re worried about the weather, or drive a tiny compact car and are unsure how to transport your tree home, call The Produce Station at 734-663-7848 or email at producestation@producestation.com to set up a delivery.
Fraser fir, Nordman fir and Noble fir are just a few of the varieties you have to choose from, in addition to gorgeously crafted wreaths that will make your family and friends wonder where you got that lovely decoration.
Head to The Produce Station every Saturday in December for Holiday Tree Buying Days, where you’ll be able to pick out a tree while enjoying complimentary hot cider and s’mores. It doesn’t get any sweeter than that, does it?
In case you really like to do your research, here are a few honorable mentions:
- Braun’s Trees, 796 Warren Rd., Ann Arbor
- Glenda’s Market, 36500 W. 7 Mile Rd., Livonia
- Huron Christmas Tree Farm, 32120 King Rd., Huron Twp.
- Lodi Farms, 2880 S. Wagner Rd., Ann Arbor (has living trees!)
- Urquhart’s Tree Farm, 10050 Jerusalem Rd., Chelsea
Now that you’ve got the perfect Christmas tree picked out and carted home, it’s time for the fun part! Put on some Christmas tunes, string the lights on the tree and pack as many bulbs on there are you can. Don’t forget the tinsel!
