Here's where to cut your own Christmas tree — and visit Santa — at some St. Cloud-area tree farms
Looking to start your holiday season? These St. Cloud-area tree farms have plenty of options for Christmas trees, gifts, decorations and activities to get into the holiday spirit.
From hayrides and visits with Santa, to cutting your own tree or sitting around a fire, here are some local spots to make your holiday a little greener.
B&J Evergreen
Location: 12946 47th Street, Clear Lake
Contact: 320-743-2255 or bjevergreen.com
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Dec. 21 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 18 and 19.
Tree services offered: Choose and cut your own tree or select a pre-cut tree. Free tree shaking and baling available.
Trees and decorations: Balsam, Cannan and Fraser firs, white and Scotch pines, Meyer and Serbian spruces and wreaths
More: Here's your guide to holiday, Christmas events in St. Cloud throughout December
More to know: Free events include Santa visits, hayrides, face painting, dog sledding, pony rides, a zoo, campfires and more. Free events are 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 4, 5 and 11.
Cost and types of trees: Cut-your-own trees range from $44.99 to $134.99. Accepts cash, card or check.
COVID-19 precautions: Precautions are site specific, but all locations will have outdoor cashiers, hand sanitizer and staff trained in COVID-19 mitigation.
More: Need tips to care for your Christmas tree? Here they are, straight from a tree farm owner
Golden Nursery & Tree Farm
Location: 15621 5th Ave. NW, Rice
Contact: 320-393-2155
Hours: Noon to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
Tree services offered: Cut-your-own or pre-cut, with trees bundled for free.
Trees and decorations: Balsam firs, Scotch and white pines, spruces and wreaths
Cost: Takes cash or local check and any Balsam fir or spruce is $26 when you cut it yourself.
Hinkemeyer Christmas Tree Farm
Location: 12675 22nd Ave. NE, Rice
Contact: 763-300-4886
Weekday hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 2-3, Dec. 6, and Dec. 9-10
Weekend hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 4-5 and Dec. 11-12
Tree services offered: Pre-cut and cut-your-own and trees can be delivered.
Trees and decorations: Fraser, Canaan and Balsam firs, white and blue spruces, white, Scotch and Norway pines, wreaths, decorative evergreens and DIY supplies for at-home decorating.
More to know: There is a campfire with s’mores ingredients and hot drinks. Dec. 4 and 5, the farm offers tractor rides, visits with Santa, live music and a toy drive, with 2021 being the tree farm's 50th anniversary.
Cost and types of trees: Trees range from $49.99 to $129.99 and a $10 coupon is available on any precut Christmas tree before Dec. 12
COVID-19 precautions: Checkout has plexiglass, the gift shop is more spread out and wagon ride tickets are for the whole family so multiple families won't need to share.
Jan’s Christmas Trees
Location: 12519 37th St. SE, Clear Lake
Contact: 320-743-3327 or www.janschristmastrees.com
Hours: Open every day 9 a.m.-5 p.m. until Dec. 24
Tree services offered: Pre-cut and cut-your-own
Types of trees and decorations: Korean, Canaan, Balsam, Siberian and Fraser firs, white, Meyer and Colorado blue spruces, white, Norway and Scotch pines, autumn blaze maples, wreaths, garlands and gnomes, porch pots, spruce tips and more.
More to know: Jan’s Christmas Trees has a gift store, bonfire, straw pile with tunnels, s’mores and hot dogs and events on Dec. 6 and 7 with horse-drawn wagon rides, a blacksmith, roasted nuts and kettle corn
Cost: Trees in the field start at $74.99
COVID-19 precautions: An outdoor checkout window is available
Lee Peterson Tree Farm
Location: 59th Street and 149th Avenue, Becker
Contact: 612-423-3441 or LPeterson55369@gmail.com
Weekday hours: By appointment
Weekend hours: Dec. 4, 5,11 and 12 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Tree services offered: Cut-your-own.
Types of trees: Variety includes blue spruce, white pine, spruce, black-, purple-, blue-, red-, turquoise- and white-colored trees and a limited selection of Balsam fir and Scotch pine.
More to know: Lee Peterson Tree Farm’s black-colored trees are called Santa’s boot.
Cost: Trees individually priced.
Petersen Tree Farm
Location: 6113 County Rd. 6 SE, Clear Lake
Contact: 763-568-6942
Weekday hours: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Fridays until Dec. 19th
Weekend hours: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. until Dec. 19th
Tree services offered: Cut-your-own, pre-cut.
Types of trees: Fraser, Canaan, Balsam, Korean and Siberian firs, Colorado blue spruce, white spruce and pine, Norway spruce and pine, Scotch pine.
More to know: Visits with Santa are Dec. 4 and 5 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. and there are hay rides.
Cost: Any pine costs $49.36 plus tax and any spruce or fir costs $72.64 plus tax, including shaking and baling. Accepts cash and checks.
COVID-19 precautions: Masks and socially distancing six feet while inside are recommended.
Riverbluff Christmas Tree Farm
Location: 3620 255th St., St. Cloud
Contact: 320-253-3146
Weekend hours: Dec. 4, 5, 11, and 12 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Tree services offered: Cut-your-own.
Trees and decorations: Spruces, Scotch and white pines, Fraser and Balsam firs, wreaths and swags.
COVID-19 precautions: No refreshments or hay rides offered, office is only open for payments and masks are requested.
Wee Trees Christmas Tree Farm
Location: 13291 Galaxy Road, Royalton
Contact: 320-584-8383
Weekday hours: 1 -6:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday
Weekend hours: 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Friday to Sunday
Tree services offered: Pre-cut.
Trees and decorations: Balsam, Frasier and Korean firs, Black Hills spruce and white pine, wreaths, gnomes, swags and planters.
More to know: Wee Trees Christmas Tree Farm has a gift shop that has ornaments, puzzles and wall hangings. There are also photo opportunities with the farm's hot cocoa stand, sleigh and large wreath outside.
This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: Christmas tree farms, where to see Santa around St. Cloud, Central MN
