A list of the best live Christmas tree farms and lots in the Triangle

Kimberly Cataudella
·8 min read

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 firs, spruces, cedars, cypresses and pines.

You can buy live Christmas trees at most grocery stores 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 you see something we missed that you think we should include, let us know by emailing ask@newsobserver.com.

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 250 to 300 trees from five feet tall to 10+ feet. Call to place orders for trees 10 feet and taller. Opening day is Nov. 16.

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. Opening day is Nov. 16.

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. Opening day Nov. 24.

Christmas tree farms and lots in Durham

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 Dec. 2 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. so you can shop for gifts and buy a Fraser fir at the very start of the month.

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. Opens Nov. 16.

  • 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

  • trosatreelots.org

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 weekend after Thanksgiving and first week of December. The farm’s Christmas shop sells ornaments, decorations and gifts. Well-trained and leashed pets are welcome. Opening day Nov. 18.

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. Opening day Nov. 24.

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. Opening day Nov. 24.

Todd Jernigan of Jernigan’s Nursery from Dunn, N.C. unloads a shipment of Christmas Tree at the State Farmers Market on Tuesday, December 18, 2019 in Raleigh, N.C. His trees come from West Jefferson and Sparta, N.C. Jernigan and one other vendor are the only two vendors still selling trees at the market.
Todd Jernigan of Jernigan’s Nursery from Dunn, N.C. unloads a shipment of Christmas Tree at the State Farmers Market on Tuesday, December 18, 2019 in Raleigh, N.C. His trees come from West Jefferson and Sparta, N.C. Jernigan and one other vendor are the only two vendors still selling trees at the market.

Christmas tree farms and lots in Chapel Hill

Cranberry Tree Farm: All trees sold are grown on their very own tree farm in Laurel Springs, including 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. Opening day Nov. 24.

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. Your TROSA Tree Lot support helps make this possible.” Other locations in Durham and Morrisville. Opens Nov. 16.

  • 1220 M. L.K. Jr. Blvd (Orange United Methodist Church parking lot) in Chapel Hill

  • 919-419-1059

  • trosatreelots.org

Christmas tree farms and lots in Hillsborough

Smith’s Family Fun Farm: Starting Nov. 24, the farm will have Fraser firs from the NC mountains, White Pines to choose and cut 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.

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. Your TROSA Tree Lot support helps make this possible.” Other locations in Durham and Chapel Hill. Opens Nov. 16.

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.

Fraser Fir trees grown on a farm near Boone, N.C. The variety is a popular one for Christmas trees, which are a valuable agricultural crop for several northwestern N.C. counties.
Fraser Fir trees grown on a farm near Boone, N.C. The variety is a popular one for Christmas trees, which are a valuable agricultural crop for several northwestern N.C. counties.

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: