Where to Choose and Cut Your Own Christmas Tree Near Charlotte, NC

For some people, pulling the Christmas tree out of the attic is a Thanksgiving tradition. But for a lot of families, it's just not Christmas without a real tree. There are plenty of options to get a real tree, as it seems like a lot pops up on almost every corner or parking lot. But if you're looking for something a little special, check out one of the area's "choose and cut your own" lots.

There aren't any "cut your own" farms actually in the limits of Charlotte, (in fact, there actually aren't even any in Mecklenburg County that I could find) but that doesn't mean they're not close by.

Listed here are the closest ones to Charlotte. For each destination, the distance and time is listed from center city Charlotte. Of course, this will vary depending on what side of Charlotte you're on! But most of them aren't more than an hour away.

Sometimes hours do change, and sometimes farms aren't open for the year and I haven't found out yet, so it's always a good idea to call ahead and verify hours, and even directions. Some of these places are a good bit away from anywhere, and your GPS might not be the most reliable option. If anything here needs updating, e-mail aobeaty@gmail.com

01 of 07

Gaston County

Christmas Trees at Stowe Dairy Farm — Image courtesy of Stowe Dairy Farm

Stowe Dairy Farms
169 Stowe Dairy Road, Gastonia
704-228-9826
Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday. Closed Sunday.
Distance from center city Charlotte: 30 miles/45 minutes

Stowe Dairy Farms will have Leyland cypress, red cedar, Carolina sapphire and white pine trees available for cutting. Fraser firs from the western N.C. mountains and mixed green wreaths will also be available. Choose and cut trees are about $25 to $30, Fraser firs are about $40 to $60. The farm will also offers other activities and products from the area. Visit their website for more information.

Continue to 2 of 7 below.

02 of 07

York County, SC

Penland Christmas Tree Farm
6457 Campbell Road, York, SC
803-366-7605
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays and Saturdays, 1 to 5:30 p.m Sunday
Distance from center city Charlotte: 30 miles/40 minutes

Penland has Virginia and white pine, Carolina sapphire, red cedar and Leyland cypress, Christmas mint cypress, plus pre-cut Fraser firs. They'll also have hayrides, wreaths, a gift shop and hot chocolate.

Continue to 3 of 7 below.

03 of 07

Catawba County

Image courtesy of Helms Christmas Tree Farm

Santa’s Forest
4071 Herter Road, Lincolnton
828-428-3774
Hours: 9 a.m. to dark Saturday, Noon to dark Sunday to Friday
Distance from center city Charlotte: 50 miles/50 minutes

Santa’s Forest will have Leyland cypress, Carolina sapphire and Fraser firs. They also have a zip line, farm animals, hayrides and nature trails. For 2015, all trees were only $40, and they did have several trees over 12 feet tall!

Continue to 4 of 7 below.

04 of 07

Stanly County

Grovestone Christmas Tree Farm

48051 Clodfelter Road, Albemarle
704-983-1685
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m Friday and Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. Sundayuntil Dec. 24.
Distance from center city Charlotte: 45 miles/one hour

Virginia pines and Leyland cypress trees, ranging from about $25 to $25.

Continue to 5 of 7 below.

05 of 07

Lancaster County, SC

Pa-Pa John’s Christmas Tree Farm
6980 Flat Creek Road, Kershaw, SC
803-475-9247
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday
Distance from center city Charlotte: 55 miles/1 hour and 10 minutes

Pa-Pa John's (no, not the pizza guy) will offer Virginia pine, white pine, Carolina sapphire, Leyland cypress, Eastern Red Cedar and Blue Ice, plus pre-cut Fraser Fir.

E-mail Papajohnschristmastreefarm@yahoo.com for more information.

Continue to 6 of 7 below.

06 of 07

Lincoln County

North Carolina Christmas Tree Farms — Image courtesy of the NC Christmas Tree association

Helms Tree Farm
6345 Christmas Tree Lane, Vale
704-276-1835
Hours: 9 a.m. to dark, Thanksgiving through Dec. 20
Distance from center city Charlotte: 45 miles/one hour

Helms Tree Farm will have white pine, red cedar, Leyland cypress, Carolina sapphire, and white and Colorado blue spruce trees available, in addition to pre-cut Fraser fir. The farm will also have covered-wagon rides, wreaths and a shop.

Cedar Lake Tree Farm
5829 N.C. 27, Iron Station
704-201-8922
Hours: Nov. 23 to Dec. 20, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.

Virginia pine and Leyland cypress available for cutting, but they'll also have pre-cut Fraser firs.

Continue to 7 of 7 below.

07 of 07

Chester County, SC

Taylor’s Christmas Tree Farm
1129 Windy Rd, Gilbert, SC 29054 and 1406 Priceville Road, Gilbert SC 29054
803-581-3507
Nov. 22 to Dec. 24
Hours: 3 p.m. to dark on weekdays, 10 a.m. to dark on Saturday, 1 p.m. to dark on Sunday
Distance from center city Charlotte: 40 miles/50 minutes

Taylor's Farm has two farms that offer Virginia and white pines, Leyland cypress, Clemson green spire, Carolina sapphire, plus pre-cut Fraser firs. They'll also offer wreaths and other greenery.