pickinghours

Christmas tree guides for 2026

Everything around the tree itself: which kind to choose, when farms open and what they charge, getting it home, keeping it fresh, and what to do after Christmas. Every guide is built from what the farms on PickingHours tell us, with the date we checked.

Guides
18
New this week
5
Farms behind them
752
Last updated
12 Nov

Choosing a tree

Types of Christmas trees19 real trees compared, and how to tell them apartFraser fir vs Douglas fir vs balsamThe three trees most people choose betweenVirginia pine vs Leyland cypressThe trees southern farms grow instead of firReal vs artificial Christmas treeNewCost over the years, which is greener, and the most realistic fakesLiving Christmas treesNewRent one, buy one in a pot, or plant it after Christmas

When to go

When do Christmas tree farms open?Every 2026 opening date, from the farms themselvesWhen to put up a Christmas treeSo a real tree still looks fresh on Christmas DayHow long does a real Christmas tree last?Four to five weeks if you water it, and how to get there

Cost and buying

What does a Christmas tree cost?2026 prices from the farms, by heightChristmas tree size calculatorThe tallest tree for your ceiling, and the water it needsChristmas tree deliveryNewFarms that deliver, and real trees shipped to your doorChristmas tree permitsCut your own in a national forest, from $5

At the farm

How to get a Christmas tree homeTying it to any car, and what the farm does for youDog-friendly Christmas tree farmsFarms that welcome dogs, state by stateChristmas card photo ideasWhen the light goes, what to wear, and farm rules

At home

Christmas tree stands for real treesNewHow much water it must hold, and which kind to buyFresh Christmas wreaths and garlandNewFarm prices, wreath-making classes, and keeping them freshChristmas tree disposalPickup, drop-off and recycling after Christmas

Looking for a farm instead? Christmas tree farms by state →