Do you love the smell of a fresh tree? Cut down or select a pre-cut tree from one of the many farms around the metro. Some even have pre-tagging starting soon if you want to get in the spirit early. Find the perfect tree for your home from a locally-owned farm!
Not convinced a real tree is worth it? Here’s why this family always gets a live Christmas tree.
Where to find real Christmas trees in the Des Moines area
Deal’s Orchard
Where: 1102 244th St. Jefferson, IA 5150-386-8279
When: Hours: Mon-Sat 8 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sun 10 a.m. – 6 pm
Cut your own or select a pre-cut tree. Visit their Apple Barn for unique decor and gift ideas, including a large selection of gift baskets. Get your picture taken in Santa’s sleigh!
Tree Varieties: Scotch Pine, White Spruce, Canaan Fir, Douglas Fir, Fraser Fir
Des Moines Christmas Trees
Where: 1474 NW 86th St, Clive 715-219-4987
When: opens the day before Thanksgiving; 7 days a week 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. until sold out
Quality Christmas trees, garlands, and wreaths. Trees are grown in Central Wisconsin and shipped directly to Des Moines.
Tree Varieties: Balsam, Natural Balsam, Fraser, Scotch Pine, and White Pine
Hill’s Tree Farm
Where: 19885 Midland Trail, Minburn, IA 515-677-2389
When: Friday, November 26; Fridays and Saturdays: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sundays: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. or call to make an appointment
In addition to cut-your-own Christmas trees, Hill’s farm offers hand-decorated wreaths, greenery baskets, mantle pieces, table centerpieces, and greenery crosses. Warm up with a cup of hot chocolate and cookies in their Tree Shed.
Tree Varieties: Fraser Firs, Canaan Fir, Concolor Fir, Douglas Fir, Scotch Pine, White Pine, and Norway Spruce
Howell Tree Farm
Where: 3129 Howell Court, Cumming, IA 515-981-4762
When: opens Saturday before Thanksgiving 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.; closed Thanksgiving day; Sunday to Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until December 23.
Howell Tree Farm is a full-service tree farm. All you have to do is pick out a tree. They cut, shake, bale, and load your tree for you. They also sell wreaths and swags and tree stands. Tag your tree the Saturday before Thanksgiving, then come after Thanksgiving to pick up your tree.
Tree Varieties: Scotch Pine, White Pine, and Canaan Fir.
Miller Tree Farm
Where: 7404 Vandalia Drive, Runnells, IA 515-266-9881
When: precut lot opens November 60; Saturday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sunday: Noon – 5 p.m.
Monday to Friday: 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. Fields open November 27.
Special Hours: Black Friday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Closed Thanksgiving
Miller Tree Farms offers cut-your-own and pre-cut trees from their fields. They also offer wreaths, swags, and greens. Kids get candy canes and surprise bags with the purchase of a tree.
Tree Varieties: White Pine, Scotch Pine, Concolor Fir, Fraser Fir, Norway Spruce, and Blue Spruce
Pinkley’s Red Roof Farms Christmas Trees
Where: 7533 NE 102nd Ave, Bondurant 515-988-2121
When: opens November 26 to December 15 unless sold out; check online for hours
Get your tree and pet the horses and other farm animals!
Quilted Gardens & Nursery
Where: 1895 East Army Post Road Des Moines 515-288-6788
When: November 27 through December 24: Monday to Friday: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday & Sunday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Find cut-your-own and pre-cut Christmas trees on the south side of Des Moines along with wreaths, swags and greenery, seasonal bulbs, and plants and will have their Christmas Store open.
Tree Varieties: White pine, Scotch pine, limited Concolor, and Fraser Fir Pre-Cut Trees: Scotch pine, Fraser Fir, and Concolor Fir.
Rettig Tree Farm
Where: 7602 NE 114th Ave, Bondurant, IA 515-967-4013
When: Monday to Saturday: 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday: noon – 5 p.m.
Rettig Christmas Tree Farm has been in the Christmas tree-growing business for over 40 years.
Tree Varieties: Scotch pine, White pine, Fraser fir, Balsam fir, Concolor fir, Colorado spruce.
Strautman Tree Farm
Where: 58976 290th St Cambridge, IA 800-982-9942
When: open daily Saturday before Thanksgiving through December 23, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Strautman Tree Farm has thousands of trees to choose from, including a wide assortment of pre-cut trees. They shake, net, and secure your tree to your vehicle for a safe trip home. Be sure to stop by their cozy holiday gift shop to warm up. Browse ornaments and enjoy hot cider and cookies.
Tree Varieties: White Pine, Concolor Fir, Black Hills Spruce, Colorado Blue Spruce, and Norway Spruce
The Christmas Tree Farm
Where: 33459 663rd Ave, Maxwell, IA 515-387-8778
When: Tag a tree before Thanksgiving then pick it up November 27 through December 18. Monday to Friday: 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Find pre-cut and cut-your-own Christmas trees. The Christmas Tree Farm offers visitors a hand-saw and sled to pull your tree back to their shop. They also have wreaths, swags, centerpieces, tree stands, crafts, and other gifts. Enjoy a complimentary hot beverage, or lemonade and candy canes, and snacks as well as games and books for the kids.
Tree Varieties: Scotch Pine, White Pine, Fraser Fir, and Concolor Fir.
Victorian Pines Christmas Tree Farm
Where: 201 4th Ave NE, State Center, IA 641-751-7435 or 641-750-0187
When: Pre-tagging begins November 13, November 22, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.; November 27, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; November 28, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; December 5, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.; December 6, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
This family-run farm offers four varieties of trees. They provide you with saws, mechanical shaking, and baling of trees.
Tree Varieties: White Pine, Scotch Pine, Fraser Fir, and Canaan Fir
Walnut Ridge Farm
Where: 1400 E Hillcrest Indianola, IA 515-961-6979
When: Opens Friday After Thanksgiving from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Saturdays: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sundays: noon – 5 p.m.; Weekdays: 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. Closing December 16
Find cut your own and pre-cut Christmas Trees, wreaths, swags garlands, and other decorative greenery. They also offer horse-drawn wagon rides and miniature train rides on specific dates weather permitting.
Tree Varieties: Fraser Fir, Canaan Fir, Concolor Fir, Blue Spruce, Scotch Pine, White Pine, and White Spruce.
