Mark Walters
Need a Christmas tree? Here are 11 places in the York County area you can cut down a tree yourself.
3G's "Cut Your Own" Tree Farm
Where: 1991 George St., Dover
Contact: 717-308-1261
Online: 3gstreefarm.com
What's there: This Dover Township farm focuses on agritainment in addition to offering its 42-acre tree farm. Visitors can take a hayride to the field where they select and cut their own tree and browse the Christmas shop in the barn. Operated by Daniel and Deborah Geyer and their son, Michael, 3G's also teaches children that it takes about seven years for a Christmas tree to mature after it's planted.
Offers: Shake, drill and wrap your tree for free; tree stands for sale; free snacks, hot chocolate and tea; pictures with Santa Claus. "Our goal for families is to get together and enjoy the reason for the season, which is Jesus Christ," said Deborah Geyer.
Family Tree Farm
Where: 4688 Dairy Road, Red Lion
Contact: 717-332-6365
Online: familytreefarm.net
What's there: A family-owned operation since 1810, Family Tree Farm has 50 acres of Fraser, Douglas and white firs as well as blue spruce trees in various stages of development. Enjoy complimentary apples on a wagon ride to your tree and let the kids climb straw bales and play in the tube slides while they drill, shake and bail your tree.
Offers: Santa typically makes an appearance, but co-owner Karen Doyle said they are still finalizing when he will show up.
McCurdy's Tree Farm
Where: 127 Chestnut Grove Road, Dillsburg
Contact: 717-432-4017
Online: mccurdystreefarm.com
What's there: More than 100 acres of space in northern York County, McCurdy's has a petting zoo, a kids play area and gives hayrides to the tree fields.
Offers: Shake, drill and bail your tree; tree stands and greens for sale; buy a live bulb to plant your own Christmas tree in your yard.
McPherson Tree Farm
Where: 5941 Mt. Pisgah Road, York
Contact: 717-324-0512
Online: facebook.com/mcpherson.treefarm
What's there: This family farm near Wrightsville is in its 62nd year of selling Christmas trees. Customers can choose their tree, but the staff at McPherson prefers to cut it for you.
Offers: Drill, shake and net your tree for free. By mid-September, people can tag their tree ahead of the holiday season. "When the harvest starts on Black Friday and your tree is ready, just remember where it is," said Gian Walker, fourth-generation partner with the farm.
John Gouker tells the family history of McPherson Tree Farm in Hellam Township and how the dream of Sid McPherson has been kept alive. Paul Kuehnel
Showvaker's Christmas Tree Farm
Where: 2020 Garrett Road, Manchester, Md.
Contact: 410-374-1499
Online: qualityevergreens.net
What's there: Christmas shop, complimentary hot drinks and Santa Claus.
Strathmeyer Christmas Trees
Where: 4874 Dairy Road, Red Lion
Contact: 717-292-5683 ext. 248
Online: strathmeyerchristmastrees.com
What's there: Hop on the hay wagon and take a ride through this 65-acre tree farm with about 1,000 trees per acre, including Fraser, Douglas and white firs. Browse the gift shop for country-style Christmas decor and enjoy popcorn, hot cider, cookies and apples.
Offers: Anything done to the tree you want done to it, according to Gerrit Strathmeyer, co-owner of the fifth-generation family tree operation. "I tell kids who work for me, 'You're not selling trees. You're selling a Christmas tradition, so make sure you're happy,'" Strathmeyer said. "I look at it as an honor to do this business."
Good's Tree Farm
Where: 1585 Valley Road, Etters
Contact: 717-938-1570
Online: facebook.com/Goods-Tree-Farm-181470485392689
What's there: This five-acre farm has been in the business for 20 years, offering cut-your-own and pre-cut options along with handmade and decorated wreaths. Good's has Douglas and Canaan fir trees available.
Offers: Drill, shake and net your tree for free; tree stands and mailbox huggies for sale.
Elicker Tree Farm
Where: 120 East Ridge Road, Dillsburg
Contact: 717-766-5714
What's there: Third-generation Monaghan Township farm was first planted in 1955. Two farms totaling about 40 acres with Douglas, Fraser, canaan and concolor firs, Colorado blue spruce, white and Scotch pine trees.
Offers: Pull your tree on a wheelbarrow; employees will shake, drill and bail your tree for free.
Haring Tree Farm
Where: 1705 Valley Road, Etters
Contact: 717-938-6669
What's there: Lester Haring has owned his Newberry Township tree farm, which consists of two plots, for 35 years. Another of Haring's tree farms is at 350 River Drive, also in Newberry Township. The Valley Road farm is open through the week, while the River Drive location is only open on weekends. The farms contain 15 acres of Fraser and Douglas firs and blue spruce trees.
Offers: Saws and wagons provided for people to choose and cut their own Christmas trees. Once brought in, Haring will shake, drill and bail trees and carry them to customers' cars. Some people bring their own chainsaws, Haring said, but he won't let customers use them at his farm.
Springfield Tree Farm
Where: 7022 Susquehanna Trail South, York
Contact: 717-428-2244
What's there: Thirty acres in Springfield Township owned by Jeff and Donna Bortner and their sons, Jeffrey and Brent. The farm features Fraser, Douglas and concolor firs and blue spruce trees. Choose and cut your tree, or buy a pre-cut tree.
Offers: Customers can pre-tag their trees two weekends before Thanksgiving. Handmade wreaths, table greens and garland made fresh everyday. The Bortner's farm also participates in Christmas Time in Loganville on Nov. 21, offering Christmas-related crafts, food, and prizes. On other weekends, guests can enjoy hayrides, hot chocolate, kettle corn and the "Gobbler" sandwich, which has turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce.
Online:springfieldtreefarm.net
Montandon Acres
Where: 1948 Noss Road, York
Contact: 717-891-7056
Online:montandonservices.com/christmas-trees
What's there: Nearly three acres of varieties in North Codorus Township. This farm, owned by Greg King, offers Douglas, concolor and balsam firs as well as meyer, blue and white spruce and southwestern white pine trees.
Offers: Montandon Acres provides bow saws but customers can bring their own. Tree carts are offered for convenience and staff there is willing to help people cut and carry their trees, King said. Available for purchase are some balled and burlap trees as well. There is also free tree drilling and bailing.
Cabin Creek Farms
Where: 635 Perry Road, Red Lion
Contact: 717-244-4496
What's there: Roughly 30 acres in Windsor Township containing about 10 varieties of trees, including Fraser, Nordmann, subalpine, noble, Nikko, concolor, canaan, Korean, Shasta red and grand firs.
Offers: Cut-your-own tree or choose from pre-cut trees. Staff at Cabin Creek will drill and cut your tree for you, or you can borrow a bow saw and cut it yourself. Also a variety of greens for wreaths or swag.
Join the Conversation
To find out more about Facebook commenting please read the Conversation Guidelines and FAQs