The Christmas season is upon us! Soon, you’ll see beautiful, colorful decorations everywhere to help you get into the spirit of the holiday. Perhaps this means you’re getting ready to set up a Christmas tree in your Michigan home, too!
In recent decades, the majority of Americans have come to favor artificial trees from stores. However, if you’re among the rising percentage that prefers real ones, you’ll need a Christmas tree farm instead. Since there are dozens of amazing Christmas tree farms in Michigan, we’ll let you know which ones are most worth your while!
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!
A Brief History of Christmas Trees
December in the northern hemisphere is known for its long, dark days, and the winter solstice is the longest and darkest of all. To ancient cultures, however, this was a cause for celebration, because the days would steadily get longer after that.
Several civilizations had their own ways to commemorate the event, and for German Christians, that included decorating evergreen trees in their homes.
In the 1830s, German immigrants settled in Pennsylvania and brought their Christmas tree tradition with them. Despite pushback from some Christians who believed they were an insult to the holiday, people throughout the United States gradually embraced Christmas trees. Now, there are numerous Christmas tree farms in northern Michigan. We’re going to tell you about the best ones in every region!
Christmas Tree Farms in Northern Michigan
1. Bill’s Farm Market
Throughout the year, Bill’s Farm Market treats Petosky residents to numerous seasonal flowers and produce, and that includes Christmas trees in the winter. Whether you prefer fir or blue spruce, you can either preorder your tree of choice or cut it down yourself, and then their workers will strap it to the roof of your car. Pick up wreaths, garlands, and holly, too!
2. Goslin’s Greenery
Also located in Petosky, Goslin’s Greenery boasts some of the tallest trees of any Christmas tree farm in Michigan, some measuring over 15 feet in height. They’ll provide you with handsaws and sleds to carry your tree to your vehicle, but they also have pre-cut options. A potted one could save you the hassle of finding a stand!
3. Pond Hill Farm
You can get a lot of Christmas errands done at once by going to Pond Hill Farm in Harbor Springs. In addition to their selection of firs and blue spruces, they offer garlands, wreaths, and gifts baskets filled with food and other goodies that your loved ones would enjoy. If you don’t have time for all that in one visit, order their products online.
4. Groleau’s Farm Market
Although there’s seasonal produce, jams, and salsas year round in in Groleau’s Farm Market, they also proudly operate as a Michigan Christmas tree farm in the winter. They offer firewood as well, in case you need it for roasting chestnuts on an open fire. Treat yourself to some homemade pie, ice cream, or soup after choosing your tree!
5. Pine Hill Nursery
Want a Christmas tree farm in Michigan that will protect you from the cold weather? The Pine Hill Nursery in Traverse City displays its trees in a greenhouse. You can select your perfect tree along with wreaths, garlands, wines, clothes, and other items. While there, take your family to one of their classes or presentations to learn about plants and make art!
6. Clark’s Family Farm
Some Michigan Christmas tree farms offer treats after you’ve chosen and loaded your tree. At Clark’s Family Farm in Traverse City, you get a cup of hot chocolate and some cookies when you walk in!
It makes the process even more fun as you choose from the farm’s selection of blue spruces, black hill spruces, and firs of the Douglas, balsam, concolor, and Frasier varieties.
7. Bosma’s Tree Farm
Established nearly five decades ago, Bosma’s Tree Farm in Harbor Springs is one of the oldest Christmas tree farms in Michigan. That’s why you can count on the quality of their spruces. Since they’re close to the Boyne Highlands and Pleasantview Vineyards, consider making your tree-hunting trip into a weekend vacation with skiing and wine tasting!
8. Robinson Family Christmas Tree Farm
Located in Traverse City, the Robinson Family Christmas Tree Farm strives for flexibility and entertainment. You can either cut down your own tree or have their staff handle it for you, but either way, you get to hear Christmas music playing around you.
Afterward, go to the barn for free hot chocolate, cookies, wreaths, and the chance to pet some friendly barn animals.
Christmas Tree Farms in Central Michigan
9. Hart Tree Farm
With a variety of firs, pines, and spruces across 120 acres, Rockford’s Hart Tree Farm is one of the biggest Christmas tree farms in Michigan. You can reserve a pre-cut tree and grab some snacks, wreaths, and garlands when you go collect it. Schedule your pickup for when Santa Claus will be there as well!
10. Candy Cane Christmas Tree Farm
True to its name, the Candy Cane Christmas Tree Farm in Oxford is devoted to the holiday season. However, they’re also committed to ethical, high-quality ecological management, earning them recognition from the Farm Bureau. By purchasing from this farm, you’ll be supporting a family-owned business in addition to student workers and local charities.
11. Horrocks Nursery Farms
Since 1937, Horrocks Nursery Farms in Ionia has specialized in landscaping and gardening, but they’re also a prominent Christmas tree farm in Michigan. When you visit, you can also enjoy their bouncy house, pedal car racetrack, funhouse, horse-drawn hayrides, gift shop, and free food! In keeping with the Christmas spirit, the profits are donated to local charities.
12. Lenderink Christmas Tree Farm
Established in 1950, Belmont’s Lenderink Christmas Tree Farm has happily spent several decades perfecting the art of growing and selling holiday trees. Besides their excellent selection of trees, wreaths, decorations, and free hot chocolate, they arrange visits from Santa Claus, who offers candy canes to the children he meets. Leashed dogs are also welcome!
Christmas Tree Farms in Southern Michigan
13. Pinecrest Christmas Tree Farm
Open specifically from Thanksgiving through December 23rd every year, the Pinecrest Christmas Tree Farm in Galien is proud to be among the most festive of its kind. In fact, they offer horse-drawn sleigh rides to take you throughout the property if you search for a tree during the weekend, though you could opt for a tractor instead.
14. Butler Tree Farm
Dowagiac’s Butler Tree Farm is another of the most dedicated Christmas tree farms in Michigan, selling diverse firs, spruces, and pines strictly from November through December. Whether you cut your own or get one pre-cut, they’ll wrap the tree for free. When you’re done, enjoy a picnic with free hot coffee, do some holiday shopping at the gift shop, or check out the petting zoo!
15. Timberly Tree Farm
Some Michigan Christmas tree farms are great one-stop shops for everything holiday-related, and the Timberly Tree Farm in Sturgis is one of them. After choosing the Christmas tree and trimmings, browse the decorations and stock up on presents from the gift shop. They also offer hot cider and other foods. Find out when Santa Claus will be visiting so that you can say hello!
16. Badger Country Christmas Trees
Wreaths, garlands, snacks, horse-drawn wagon rides, Santa visits, a petting zoo–the Badger Country Christmas Tree Farm has it all! Located in Otsego, the 200-acre farm grows fir, spruce, and pine trees that you can either cut yourself or reserve pre-cut. They are only open from late November through December.
17. Leber Christmas Tree Farm
Though the Leber Trees Farm was established in Allegan in 1903, it didn’t join the ranks of Michigan Christmas tree farms until 1977. Since then, they’ve grown firs, spruces, and pines that you can cut yourself, all with the fun and convenience of a sleigh ride. Top off your trip with their wreaths, ornaments, snacks, and coffee or hot chocolate afterward!
18. Bredeweg Acres
One of the toughest tasks after bringing home a Christmas tree is setting it up with a good stand. Bredeweg Acres in Stevensville is a Michigan Christmas tree farm that addresses that issue with their “answer stand,” which they insist could “save your marriage”! After picking your favorite fir or spruce, get a wreath or present from the gift shop.
19. Loveberry’s Tree Farm
From November to December, Loveberry’s Tree Farm in Quincy sells various firs and spruces that they will cut for you. Additionally, they organize sleigh rides, bonfires, toy giveaways for children, and weekend visits from Santa Claus! With antiques, blankets, wreaths, garlands, and diverse treats, their gift shop can help with your Christmas shopping and decorating, too.
20. Wahmhoff Farms Nursery
Family-owned and operated for over 70 years, the Wahmhoff Farms Nursery in Gobles distinguishes itself as one of the oldest Christmas tree farms in Michigan. That’s given them plenty of time to win both regional and national awards for the quality of their pines, spruces, and firs. Santa Claus is known to visit and even brings his reindeer when possible!
21. Tall Timbers Tree Farm
In Hartford, you’ll find Tall Timbers Tree Farm, where they offer hayrides and an online map to help you explore their selection of fir, pine, and spruce trees. Once you’ve decided on a tree, their staff will cut and prepare it for transportation. Their gift shop features a charming array of decorations, trimmings, and wreaths as well.
Happy Christmas Tree Hunting!
With so many unique and wonderful Christmas tree farms in Michigan, you won’t have any trouble finding your ideal tree in any region of the state. However, we’re not just experts in the Great Lakes State! If you’re planning to visit family or friends in another state this holiday season, our website offers advice on where else you can go to score the best Christmas trees in the country. Give it a try!