We looked for choose and cut Christmas tree farms within about an hour of Downtown that grow their own trees and have already posted this season's dates on their own websites. Four farms cleared that bar when we checked on October 30 and 31. The ranking rewards the length and clarity of the posted season first, then the variety of trees, published prices and the help a farm offers with cutting, shaking and loading. We have not walked these fields this year, so every date, price and service below comes from the farm's own site, and dates can change with weather.
Cackler Farms posts the longest season of the four, 13 open days from Wednesday, Nov. 25 through Saturday, Dec. 12. The family has sold trees on Cackler Road in Delaware since 1989. Opening day runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thanksgiving weekend runs 9 to 5, and later weeks open weekday afternoons from 1 to 5 p.m. plus full weekends. Six varieties grow here, from Canaan and Concolor firs to Norway Spruce, and wreaths are made from the farm's own greens. Dan's Deli serves food on site, and the farm encourages reservations.
