Where to get the best Christmas tree in the Triangle: A full list of local farms & lots
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Western NC Christmas Trees
Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina and left many Christmas tree farms scrambling or behind on production. Now the region’s tree farmers are ready to tell their stories, with many inviting visitors to make holiday memories at their farms while cutting down their own trees.
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The Triangle has a number of live Christmas tree lots for those looking to make an adventure out of choosing their home’s tree this year.
North Carolina is one of our country’s Christmas tree hotspots, producing millions of trees to be sold in-state and across the nation. North Carolina’s tree variety includes Fraser firs, spruces, cedars, cypresses and pines.
You can buy live Christmas trees at most big box and hardware stores, but there’s something special about a visit to a Christmas tree lot to pick out your perfect conifer.
We’ll update this list as we learn about more local tree farms and lots throughout the holiday season, so bookmark it online and check back. If there’s something we missed, email ask@newsobserver.com to let us know.
Here are some Christmas tree lots in and around the Triangle, plus tips for choosing your green giant and keeping it thriving all season long.
Christmas tree farms and lots in Raleigh
Back Achers Christmas Tree Farm: This farm has a selection of over 600 trees from 5 feet to 12 feet. Call to place orders for trees 10 feet and taller.
4533 Inwood Rd. in Raleigh
715-310-2141
Boyce Farms: Buy pre-cut Fraser firs from the NC mountains, or check out the limited supply of “Choose & Cut” trees. This farm also sells fresh wreaths and roping.
2813 Mount Vernon Church Rd. in Raleigh
Cranberry Tree Farm: All trees sold are grown in NC on their very own tree farm, growing Fraser fir, Concolor fir, White pine and Blue spruce Christmas trees in sizes ranging from two to 14 feet. They also sell fresh garland and wreaths. Other locations in Cary and Chapel Hill.
7200 Creedmoor Rd. in Raleigh
919-740-5248
Phillips Farms of Cary: Pick out a tree and enjoy the farm’s concession stand of hot drinks and bites. This is the popular Cary farm’s first Raleigh location.
4143 Kincaid St. in Raleigh
919-377-8989
Christmas tree farms and lots in Durham
Perkins Orchard: Christmas trees will arrive the week of Thanksgiving, though there is a limited supply. This market offers “real snow” in December by using a snow blowing machine.
5749 Barbee Rd. in Durham
919-491-9559
Deck The Halls Christmas Tree Market: This farm has a Christmas tree shaker this year so they can help remove needles and debris before you bring it home. Their annual Christmas Market will be Saturday, Nov. 30 which will include a gift market and visit from Santa.
4915 Hillsborough Rd in Durham
618-553-3706
TROSA Tree Lots: “TROSA is a nonprofit residential recovery program that empowers men and women with substance use disorders to change their lives. We provide free housing, meals, clothing, health services, counseling, vocational and life skills training and more.” TROSA will trim, bag and load your tree on your car. Other locations in Chapel Hill and Morrisville. Visit TROSA’s website for a $5 off coupon.
8160 Renaissance Pkwy (near Havertys Furniture) in Durham
1058 W Club Blvd (Club & Gregson) in Durham
3821 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd (Flow Volkswagen) in Durham
919-419-1059
Christmas tree farms and lots in Apex
Jordan Lake Christmas Tree Farm: Selling Christmas trees, fresh wreaths and garland. Concession stand has cider, hot chocolate, mini donuts and more. Hayrides as weather allows on weekends. Reservations required for the Wednesday before Thanksgiving (Nov. 27), the weekend after Thanksgiving (Nov. 29 to Dec. 1) and the following weekend (Dec. 7-8).
2170 Martha’s Chapel Rd. in Apex
919-362-6300
Neighbor Boy Farm: This farm has a selection of fresh table top through 12-foot trees. Reservations are required the weekend after Thanksgiving.
- 1008 Davis Dr. in Apex
- 919-637-9894
- neighborboyfarm.com
Christmas tree farms and lots in Cary
Cranberry Tree Farm: All trees sold are grown in NC on their very own tree farm, growing Fraser fir, Concolor fir, White pine and Blue spruce Christmas trees in sizes ranging from two to 14 feet. They also sell fresh garland and wreaths. Other locations in Raleigh and Chapel Hill.
1100 Reedy Creek Rd. in Cary
919-740-5248
Phillips Farms of Cary: Pick out a tree and enjoy the farm’s concession stand of hot drinks and bites. The farm will offer a Wine & Wreath Making class throughout the season. Another location in Raleigh, new this year.
6720 Good Hope Church Rd. in Cary
919-377-8989
Garden Supply Co: This local, independent garden center has a tree lot fully stocked with Fraser firs from Ashe Couty. The lot and gift shop are open seven days a week through Monday, Dec. 23.
1421 Old Apex Rd. in Cary
919-460-7747
Christmas tree farms and lots in Chapel Hill
Cranberry Tree Farm: All trees sold are grown in NC on their very own tree farm, growing Fraser fir, Concolor fir, White pine and Blue spruce Christmas trees in sizes ranging from two to 14 feet. They also sell fresh garland and wreaths. Other locations in Raleigh and Cary.
1100 Environ Way (East 54) in Chapel Hill
919-740-5248
TROSA Tree Lots: “TROSA is a nonprofit residential recovery program that empowers men and women with substance use disorders to change their lives. We provide free housing, meals, clothing, health services, counseling, vocational and life skills training and more.” TROSA will trim, bag and load your tree on your car. Other locations in Chapel Hill and Morrisville. Visit TROSA’s website for a $5 off coupon.
1220 M. L.K. Jr. Blvd (Orange United Methodist Church parking lot) in Chapel Hill
919-419-1059
Christmas tree farms and lots in Hillsborough
Smith’s Family Fun Farm: The farm will have Fraser firs, White Pines, Virginia Pines and freshly made wreaths. This full service farm shakes, bags and loads up your tree, and they can help get it in the tree stand. Pay with cash to get a 4% discount.
1715 St Marys Rd. in Hillsborough
919-619-2145
Christmas tree farms and lots in Morrisville
TROSA Tree Lots: “TROSA is a nonprofit residential recovery program that empowers men and women with substance use disorders to change their lives. We provide free housing, meals, clothing, health services, counseling, vocational and life skills training and more.” TROSA will trim, bag and load your tree on your car. Other locations in Chapel Hill and Morrisville. Visit TROSA’s website for a $5 off coupon.
3069 Bristol Creek Dr. in Morrisville
919-419-1059
How to pick the best live Christmas tree
Here’s a guide to live trees in North Carolina and how to pick out the best one:
• Size: Measure your space before heading to pick out your tree, taking into account the tree stand and topper, NC State Extension recommends.
• Display: Look for a full and symmetrical shape. Take a look at the tree from several angles and from a five- to eight-foot distance, Lowe’s recommends.
If you’re displaying the tree in a corner, you only need two good “sides,” but a center-stage tree needs to look near perfect all around. The trunk shouldn’t be visible through branches, but check the tree’s posture to see if it’s standing straight.
• Shake test: Lightly shake the tree before purchasing. You’ll probably see a few falling brown needles, but if green needles fall, that means the tree is dry, Lowe’s says. Dry trees are fire hazards.
• Feel its needles: Fir needles should snap if you bend them sharply, while pines should bend and not break, Better Homes & Gardens says. If the tree has stiff needles that are losing their color, or if you can pull needles off easily, look for another tree.
• Transport safely: Bring rope or bungee cords to transport safely, Lowe’s says. Tree resin and branches can damage your car’s finish, so pad both the tree and your car when bringing it home.
How to care for your cut Christmas tree so it lasts all December
Trees should stay fresh for four to six weeks with proper care. Here’s how to accomplish that:
When you first get home:
Blast the tree with a leaf blower to remove debris, loose needles and shake off bugs or egg masses that survived the trip home.
Freshen the trunk by cutting a half-inch off the bottom. The Christmas tree lot or farm may also do this for you before you load it onto your car. This will make the tree absorb more water and hold its color longer through the season.
Put it in water quickly, knowing the tree will need the most water on its first day after being cut down. Let the tree absorb fresh water for a few hours before displaying on its tree stand.
Throughout the season:
Use LED lights or small, low-temperature lights to keep heat at a minimum.
Keep heat far away, as this will make the tree dry out faster. This means, unfortunately, trees near fireplaces are a bad idea.
Water daily, as most species need about a quart a day. Keep the water level above the base of the tree in its stand.
Vacuum bugs and fallen needles.
One last (and very important) tip: Do not fumigate or use an aerosol spray insecticide. This will increase your risk of fire inside your home. Make sure you’re properly watering, cooling and cleaning your tree instead to maintain its freshness.
Keep your Christmas tree alive with these guides
For tree choice and safety tips, check out the following resources:
NC State Extension: christmastrees.ces.ncsu.edu
NC Christmas Trees: ncchristmastrees.com/choose-and-cut-your-perfect-tree
Better Homes & Gardens: bhg.com/christmas/decorating/christmas-tree-tips
This story was originally published November 25, 2024 at 10:05 AM with the headline "Where to get the best Christmas tree in the Triangle: A full list of local farms & lots."
