Looking for a real Christmas experience? Central Oklahoma growers offer trees, memories
If you are looking for a chance to find a real Christmas tree and make some holiday memories this year, opportunities abound.
As Christmas approaches, at least 20 growers across the state are offering trees and holiday-related experiences to their guests.
Here's nine central Oklahoma businesses that might have what you are looking for.
All Pine Christmas Tree Farm, Yukon
What it offers: Choose-and-cut Virginia pines, with farm personnel providing free tree stand drilling, shaking, wrapping and loading services.
While you're there: Check out for-sale wreaths and explore a working farm.
How to get there from Oklahoma City: Take Interstate 40 west to Exit 138 (State Highway 4), then go 2 miles south. The farm entrance is on the west side of the highway between SW 15 and SW 29.
Contact information and when it's open: 405-324-1010, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily.
Want to learn more? Go to allpinechristmastreefarm.com
Cross Timbers Christmas Tree Farm, Harrah
What if offers: A trip back in time to an authentic 1940s-era Christmas tree farm where consumers can either harvest home-grown trees or select their favorite pre-cut tree brought here from northern Michigan and the Pacific Northwest.
While you're there: Enjoy free hot chocolate, cider and consider buying other ornamental decorative items while your children pet farm animals and take rides on a barrel train through the farm.
How to get there from Oklahoma City: Take I-40 east to Exit 170 (northbound Kickapoo Turnpike). Take the turnpike north to Exit 138 (U.S. 62). Take U.S. 62 east 1.3 miles to Harrison Avenue. Follow Harrison Avenue south to the farm, on the avenue's west side.
Contact information and when it's open: 405-454-0103, 4 to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays and 1 to 8 p.m. Sundays.
Want to learn more? Go to crosstimberschristmastrees.com
Leafer Lodge Farms in Stillwater
What it offers: Pre-cut Noble, Grand, Douglas and Nordman firs, plus chances to select still growing Virginia pines for Christmas 2024.
While you're there: Tour the farm's gingerbread house and enjoy hot chocolate and hot apple cider while your kids and you get comfortable around a fire pit, slip your way down a 40-foot slide or enjoy a Saturday night movie on a 300-inch screen.
How to get there from Oklahoma City: Take Interstate 35 north to State Highway 51, then take SH 51 east to Fairgrounds Road. Take Fairgrounds Road north for 2 miles to East Lakeview Road, then turn east and travel down Lakeview a quarter mile to the farm's location on the north side (easternmost entrance provides parking access).
Contact information and when it's open: 405-747-4582, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturdays and 2 to 6 p.m. Sundays.
Want to learn more? Go to Leafer Lodge Farms' Facebook page
Martinbird Tree Farm, Tuttle
What it offers: Choose-and-cut Virginia and scotch pines, plus pre-cut fir and spruce trees and balled- and burlapped trees that can be replanted once the holidays are over. Selected trees are shaken, drilled, baled and loaded by farm employees.
While you're there: Enjoy hot chocolate or coffee, plus take advantage of tractor-pulled wagon rides to and from the selection field on weekends.
How to get there from Oklahoma City: Take Interstate 44 south to the Tuttle/Minco exit (State Highway 37), then take SH 37 west 5.8 miles to Burntwood Drive. Turn north at black gate, follow signs to the farm's office.
Contact information and when it's open: 405-381-2910, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Want to learn more? Go to Martinbird Tree Farm's Facebook page
Pioneer Homestead Christmas Tree Farm, Oklahoma City
What it offers: Fresh-cut Fraser, Balsam and scotch pines, Black Hills spruce, Douglas fir, plus wreaths and garland.
While you're there: Enjoy looking at its holiday-themed ornaments, decorations and other items for sale in the farm gift shop.
How to get there: Travel northwest on the Northwest Expressway (State Highway 3) to its intersection with Wilshire Boulevard. Take Wilshire west about 2.5 miles to the farm.
Contact information and when it's open: 405-623-0516, 3 to 6 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays.
Want to learn more? Go to Pioneer Homestead Christmas Tree Farm's Facebook page
Silver Bells Christmas Tree Farm, Tuttle
What it offers: Choose-and-cut Virginia pines, pre-cut trees that include Balsam, Black Hills and Blue spruce and Douglas and Fraser firs, plus white pines, fresh wreaths and more.
While you're there: Take a look at the ornaments, homemade signs, tree care products, tree stands the farm also sells as you enjoy free hay rides, hot cocoa, apple cider, coffee and other goodies and treats.
How to get there from Oklahoma City: Take I-44 south to SH 37, then take SH 37 west to downtown Tuttle where it intersects with Cimarron Road. Take Cimarron Road south 6 miles to its intersection with County Road 1250. Take CR 1250 west about a half mile to the farm's location on the road's north side.
Contact information and when it's open: 405-397-4405, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
Want to learn more? Go to Silver Bells Christmas Tree Farm's Facebook page
Sorghum Mill Christmas Tree and Blackberry Farm, Edmond
What it offers: Choose-and-cut Virginia and white pines, Leyland and Carolina Cypress and Blue Ice, pre-cut Noble, Fraser, Grand, Douglas, Nordman firs, plus living White, Scotch, Loplolly and Austrian pines and Colorado Blue and Norway spruce, with farm-provided saws and services that include drilling, shaking, wrapping and loading, plus preservatives and disposal bags.
While you're there: Take a look at the farm's for-sale wreaths, garland, mantle pieces, door boughs and tree stands as you enjoy hot chocolate, cider, coffee, and candy canes.
How to get there from Oklahoma City: Take I-35 north to the Covell Road exit (Exit 143). Take Covell east 1.5 miles to Midwest Boulevard. Take Midwest Boulevard 1.75 miles north to Midwest Lane. Take Midwest Lane 1 block east to the farm's entrance.
Contact information and when it's open: 405-340-5488, choose to cut fields close at 5 p.m. daily, while its general hours are 1 to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
Want to learn more? Go to Sorghum Mill Christmas Tree and Blackberry Farm's page on the Oklahoma agritourism site
Wells Christmas Tree Farm, Norman
What it offers: Saws and sleds for those who want to choose and cut their own Virginia pine trees, plus pre-cut Balsam, Blue Spruce, Canaan, Fraser, Grand, Noble and Nordman firs and services that include processing and loading trees.
While you're there: Check out the farm's gift shop and enjoy live music as you enjoy hot chocolate, hot apple cider, pumpkin cookies and other concessions offered by food trucks. Kids' visits with Santa offered Sundays.
How to get there from Oklahoma City: Take I-35 south to Tecumseh Road. Take Tecumseh east 1 mile to 12th Avenue NW. Take 12th 1 mile north to Franklin Road. Travel east about 4.5 miles on Franklin to the farm, located on the road's north side.
Contact information and when it's open: 405-887-1298, 3 to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays.
Want to learn more? Go to wellschirstmastrees.com
Wonderland Farms, Harrah
What it offers: Pre-cut Virginia pine trees which include Fraser, Noble and Nordman firs. It also offers live wreaths.
While you're there: Enjoy complimentary photographs, on-site food trucks, merchandize vendors, yard games for kids and adults, an open fire pit, smores and check out the farm's live wreaths and other gifts in its shop while kids meet its elves, write letters to Santa and make their own reindeer feed mix to take home. Photos on Saturdays with Santa and Mrs. Clause and with Mia the Donkey on Sundays also are offered.
How to get there from Oklahoma City: Take I-40 east to Harrah Road. Follow Harrah Road north 2.75 miles to the farm, located on the road's west side.
Contact information and when it's open: 405-503-6919, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. Sundays.
Want to learn more? Go to wonderlandfarmsok.com
Why local Christmas tree farmers recommend purchases from their businesses
Christmas tree farmers know how to grow and care for the trees before they are harvested and refrain from selling days-old, dried and degraded trees to their customers.
Christmas tree farmers only order premium out-of-state trees from suppliers they know, avoiding suppliers of early cut trees stored overly long in wholesale yards before being to non-growing retailers.
Christmas tree farmers are people open to establishing long-term relationships with families by offering them experiences and memories, leading to meaningful traditions.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Here are 9 places to go in central Oklahoma for real Christmas trees
