Preparing to host friends and family for the holidays can be very stressful. Your to-do list can become unwieldy very quickly—writing down shopping lists, nailing down visiting schedules, putting up decorations—there’s a lot to get done!
If you’re yet to find your ideal tree this season and don’t know where to look, you’ve come to the right place.
When it’s time to set up your tree, save time and avoid the multi-person hassle – check out the Krinner Tree Genie. The foot-operated ratcheting system on this Christmas tree stand will have your tree up in under a minute!
Our list of the 13 best Christmas tree farms in Iowa will help you cross out an all-important item on your decorating to-do list.
Best Christmas Tree Farms in Northern Iowa
1. Kragel Christmas Trees and Traditions, Clear Lake
One of the best Christmas tree farms in Iowa is the family-owned and operated Kragel Christmas Trees and Traditions.
Their 10-acre tree plantation has an incredibly long history, with varieties such as Canaan Fir, Colorado Blue Spruce, Meyer Spruce, Balsam, and Fraser Firs. Their trees can be picked fresh from the field or chosen from those already harvested.
In addition to Christmas trees, you can also visit their shop to purchase Christmas decorations and gifts. When you make the trip, you can enjoy a serving of free hot apple cider, hot chocolate, and peanuts as you wait while your tree gets loaded into your vehicle.
2. Aldrich Tree Farm, Belmond
Founded in 1883, the Aldrich Tree Farm is another family-owned and operated stead that’s on our list of the best Christmas tree farms in Iowa list. It is open every year from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve.
They offer varieties such as the Eastern White Pine and Firs, which you pick out yourself by driving to their farm. While you wait, you can enjoy their free apple cider, 10-cent popcorn, hot dogs, or candy canes for the kids.
And if you find yourself on the farm on Thanksgiving weekend, check out the open house with craft show in the barn. You can go for a hayride, feed the pigs, visit the photo booth, and check out the petting zoo.
3. Wapsie Pines Christmas Tree Farm, Fairbank
Spread across 25 acres of land, the Wapsie Pines Tree Farm is another one of the best Christmas tree farms in Iowa. It opens every year on the first Friday after Thanksgiving.
They offer a vast collection of trees, including Scotch Pine, White Pine, Balsam Fir, Red Pine, Fraser Fir, and Concolor Fir. You can also choose from their comprehensive collection of Christmas ornaments, wreaths, and ropings made using the fresh greens from their farm.
Best Christmas Tree Farms in Central Iowa
4. Hill’s Tree Farm, Minburn
In the business of planting Christmas trees since 1982, Hill’s Tree Farm is a fourth-generation enterprise with a large selection of trees, some of which are grown on their farm (four varieties of Fir, two of Spruce, and two of Pine) and some brought in from northern Minnesota (Fraser Fir, Balsam, and Canaan).
You can also buy beautiful wreaths, greenery crosses, baskets, hand-decorated greenery, mantle pieces, and table centerpieces. You can also enjoy free hot chocolate while roasting marshmallows by the fire pit at one of the best Christmas tree farms in Iowa.
5. THE Christmas Tree Farm, Maxwell
Founded in 1992, THE Christmas Tree Farm has 4,000 beautiful trees spread across 10 acres. They offer pre-cut and you-cut varieties of Fraser Fir, Concolor Fir, Canaan Fir, Scotch Pines, and White Pines.
They open for harvest season on Black Friday. They have a Santa on the farm, making them one of the best Christmas tree farms in Iowa to bring your kids.
Other items on sale include an assortment of holiday wreaths and greenery. They also offer complimentary crackers and bottled water to all customers.
6. Kelly Tree Farm, Clarence
The Kelly Tree Farm has been in business since 1971 and provides not just full-grown Christmas trees but also a variety of seedling trees and shrubs. They also run a nursery, install trees and shrubs, provide windbreak design consultation, and more.
They sell fresh cut trees and you-cut trees, including 120 White Pine and Canaan Fir varieties between five to 120 feet tall and a collection of Concolor Firs, Colorado Blue Spruce, White Spruce, and many more Evergreens.
They also sell tree stands, tree removal bags, and potted evergreen trees.
7. Strautman Tree Farm, Cambridge
The Strautman Tree Farm spreads across 90 acres and offers cedars, pines, firs, and other trees in various sizes for landscaping purposes and Christmas decor.
They open every year on the Saturday before Thanksgiving and stay open until December 23. You can cut down trees from their farms or pick from their pre-cut collection.
When visiting their farm, pop into their holiday gift shop to buy ornaments and enjoy hot cider with cookies.
8. Miller Tree Farm, Runnells
Another one on our list of best Christmas tree farms in Iowa that you must check out is Miller Tree Farm. Their tree fields spread across three different locations.
Their first field is their home farm, where you will find pre-cut trees, wreaths, greens, swags, stands, and arrangements. There is also a field of uncut trees that you can explore.
At their second field, Deer Ridge, you can cut your own trees as long as you visit during Thanksgiving weekend.
The third location at East Field is on rough terrain, where their pre-cut trees come from. The field is not accessible to visitors.
Your kids will love the candy canes and surprise bags they hand out to every customer at purchase.
Best Christmas Tree Farms in Southern Iowa
9. Hunter Bros. Tree Farm, Chariton
Founded in 1990, the Hunter Bros. Tree Farm offers a wide selection of uncut and pre-cut trees each tree picking season, starting November 21.
Their collection includes Fraser Firs, Canaan, Concolor, White Pine, Scotch Pine, Blue Spruce, and more. They also have a holiday store where you can find wreaths, ribbons, decor, and other gifts. They’re also one of the best Christmas tree farms in Iowa that ship their products across the United States.
Do not leave without trying their homemade cookies and hot cider available all season long!
10. Walnut Ridge Farm, Indianola
Founded in 1983, the Walnut Ridge Farm is one of the best Christmas tree farms in Iowa for Christmas trees, greenery items, and cool photography. They open on the Friday after Thanksgiving and close on December 11.
Walnut Ridge allows you to cut your holiday tree or choose one from their limited pre-cut tree collection. Concolor, Fraser, Scotch Pine, and White Pine varieties are available.
They also allow professional and non-professional photography visits at scheduled times during the holiday season. So if you want a cozy and tree-filled venue for your family’s holiday photoshoot, just reach out to them!
11. Harvestville Farm, Donnellson
Harvestville Farm is a three-season fifth-generation farm with much more to offer than the others on this list. It is one of the best Christmas tree farms in Iowa for more than one reason.
Their Christmas trees, holiday wreaths, ropings, arrangements, and gift items are available from November to the holidays. They have lovely fresh-cut varieties of Canaan Firs, Balsam Firs, and White Pines on sale.
They also have a retail barn, family play area, and endless fields for their trees, vegetables, fruits, and more throughout the year. They also host annual festivals that are perfect for families with younger children.
12. Howell Tree Farm, Cumming
The Howell Tree Farm is a full-service tree farm founded in 1963 and considered one of the best Christmas tree farms in Iowa. They offer holiday trees, tree spading services, and other holiday items for sale.
You will find over 2,500 evergreens with tree varieties such as White Pine, Scotch Pine, and Canaan. Their nursery houses many more leaf trees and evergreens. You can also get one of their many landscaping trees transplanted right onto your property by hiring their spading service.
They also have a wood-burning stove in their gift shop where you can pop in for a hot cup of coffee or cocoa. You can enjoy the warmth while browsing through their collection of decor and gift items.
They accept tree tagging and are open for the season on the Saturday before Thanksgiving.
13. Dappen Tree Farm, Council Bluffs
Dappen Tree Farm is one of the best Christmas tree farms in Iowa to take your kids.
Their Christmas tree collection includes Scotch Pine, White Pine, Spruce, and Firs. In addition to items such as wreaths and other holiday decorations.
You can bring your kids to enjoy various fun activities, such as tractor rides, sipping hot chocolate beverages, or fun coloring activities and toys.
Check their website for the dates for this holiday season’s tree-picking family tradition.
Wrapping Up the Best Christmas Tree Farms in Iowa
That concludes our list of the best Christmas tree farms in Iowa. We hope this guide helps you get your real tree in time for the season.
You can visit Minnetonka Orchards for more information on all things related to backyard gardening and listings of orchards and tree farms in your area.
If you love apple picking during the fall, check out the Best Apple Orchards in Iowa.