Christmas Tree Farms in Northern Illinois and Eco Friendly Holiday Tips
As you do your holiday decorating this year, you may want to weigh out which kind of tree is more Eco-friendly. As an article published in my recent newsletter states, an artificial tree can be more earth friendly. Consider a potted plant which can be beautiful and can also be planted in spring. I personally like an artificial tree because I just do not feel right about cutting down a lovely, living tree that has flourished and grown only to use it inside as a decoration for a few weeks until it dies. I remember my Father having to pretend he "planted" a tree in the yard after Christmas one year when I was a kid, because I felt so sorry for the tree! I think that was the only year we had a real tree, but I know many people just love a real tree for the holidays. If you do purchase a fresh tree, please try to buy it from a tree farm so you are not damaging any forests. I have listed some local Tree Farms below for your convenience:-) Please call ahead to confirm hours, prices, directions and availability before you drive out. I've listed the websites below, if available, so you may want to visit those as well, as many offer much more than trees and you can make it a nice family outing! If you have a favorite tree farm that I missed, please let me know so I can add it.
Photo taken by Debra Kukulski, ABR, RECS, GRI, EPRO, Realtor with RE/MAX Unlimited Northwest Cary-Crystal Lake IL, provides highly professional levels of real estate services to home buyers and sellers in McHenry, Lake, Kane or Cook Counties in Northern Illinois. Visit my www.TheresNoPlaceLikeYourPlace.com to search for homes for sale in Northern Illinois. Photo may not be used or reproduced in any way without express written permission from Debra Kukulski.
Real trees can also be a safety hazard, so please visit these website for tips on keeping your home and family safe this holiday season:
http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/all_citizens/home_fire_prev/holiday-seasonal/treefire.shtm
http://www.childrensafetyzone.com/safety/christmas.html
Please see the safety video from the National Christmas Tree Foundation near the bottom of this post
After you are through with your tree and the holiday season is over, please visit Earth911.com to find a Christmas tree recycling center. It is much better to recycle the tree into wood chips, which can have many uses instead of wasting that wonderful tree and letting it go to a landfill.
Another tip is to recycle instead of using expensive wrapping paper. Try to re-use your gift bags, bows and paper instead of throwing it in the trash. Creative and beautiful gift wrapping can be done with newspaper, old wallpaper scraps, bandannas, scarves, magazines, old posters, sheet music, coloring books, etc.!
Please be kind to our earth in this holiday season:-)
PINEAPPLE FARMS
309 Three Oaks Rd. Cary, IL 60013 Phone: (847)-639-3248
Email: jandjkohl@yahoo.com http://www.pine-applefarm.com
COUNTRY CABIN ORCHARD AND NURSERY
4829 Alden Road, Woodstock, IL Phone: (815)-338-3348
STAR CHRISTMAS TREE FARM
24974 West Miller Road, Barrington, IL Phone: (847)-438-4518
http://www.starchristmastreefarm.com
BEN’S CHRISTMAS TREE FARM
7720 Ryan Road, Harvard, IL Phone: (630) 279-0216
ZIEGLERS CHRISTMAS TREE FARM
42w109 McDonald Rd, Elgin, IL Phone: (847) 464-5776
http://www.zieglerchristmastreefarm.com
PINEAPPLE ACRES
41 W 651 Powers Road, Huntley, IL Phone: (847)-669-3251
http://www.pineapple-acres.com
Homestead Orchard
11802 Charles, Woodstock, IL Phone: (815)-338-7443
http://www.homesteadorchard.net
Richardson Christmas Trees, LLC
(Also home of “the world’s largest CORN MAZE”)
9407 Richardson Rd., Spring Grove, IL Phone: (815)675-9729
GRANDPA'S CHRISTMAS TREE FARM
13616 Route 176, Woodstock, IL Phone:(815)-33SANTA
http://www.grandpastreefarm.com
ONEY'S TREE FARM & NURSERY, INC
16608 Route 14, Woodstock, IL Phone: (815)-338-4108
http://www.oneystreefarm.com
CAL & SHAN'S CHRISTMAS TREE & MORE
9414 US Hwy 14, Woodstock, IL Phone: (815)-338-7888 or (815)-509-1026
http://www.calandshans.com
BILL'S FRIENDLY EVERGREEN TREE FARM
3102 West Miller Road, McHenry, IL Phone: (847)-623-1422
COUNTRY PINES FARM
2816 S. Justen Road, McHenry, IL Phone: (815)-455-3083
HARMS FARM GARDEN CENTER
4727 W Crystal Lake Road, Crystal Lake, IL Phone: (815)-385-5385
HOLLY JOLLY TREE FARM
4919 Bull Valley Road, McHenry, IL Phone: (815)-385-9627
http://www.jollyhollychristmastrees.com
PIONEER TREE FARM
4614 Pioneer Rd Mchenry, IL Phone: (815)-385-8512
http:// www.pioneertreefarm.com
GENGEL TREE FARM
38614 North Fairfield, Lake Villa, IL Phone: (847)-356-5661
Email: gengel@theramp.net
HONEYBEE ACRES CHRISTMAS TREE FARM
41 W 072 Bowes Road, Elgin, IL Phone: (847)-464-9627 Email: Xmstrz@sbcglobal.net http://Honeybeeacreschristmastreefarm.net
FAMILY CHRISTMAS TREE FARM
24774 W Petite Lake Road, Lake Villa, Il Phone: (847)-949-0172
CUCHICACHI TREE FARM
19505 West State Line Road, Antioch, IL Phone: (847)-395-7919
Email: patbehlke@gmail.com
BEN'S TREE FARM
7720 Ryan Road, Harvard, IL Phone: (630)279-0216 Email: treefarm@gmail.com
http://www.benstreefarm.com/index.html
BILL'S CHRISTMAS TREE FARM
North Sheridan Road, Beach Park, IL Phone: (847) 770-1421
BILL'S CHRISTMAS TREE FARM
3102 W. Miller Road, Spring Grove, IL Phone: (847) 623-1422
LEE'S TREES
45W002 Lees Road, Lily Lake, IL Phone: (630)-365-2116 Email: LeesTrees94@aol.com
THEIS PRODUCE
6 N 593 County Line Road, Maple Park, IL Phone: (815)-895-9712
LARSON'S FAMILY FARM
4404 Somonauk Road, Sandwich, IL Phone: (815)-786-2249
Email: berryfarm@sannauk.com http://www.larsonfamilyfarm.com
PUCKERVILLE FARMS
13332 Bell Road, Lemont, IL Phone: (630)-243-8470 Alternate Phone: (708)-606-2952.
Email: Richardhomerding@sbcglobal.net.
CAMELOT CHRISTMAS TREE FARM
16380 S. Somonauk Road, DeKalb, IL Phone: (815)-756-6599
Email: camelottrees@yahoo.com http://www.camelottrees.com
CINNAMON TREES & SHRUBS
13579 N. Howison Road, Waterman 207 Illini, Shabbona, IL and other DeKalb County Locations
Phone: (815) 824-2247
KUIPERS FAMILY FARM
1n318 Watson Road, Maple Park, IL Phone: (815)-827-5200 http://www.kuipersfamilyfarm.com
WHEATON LANDSCAPE AND GARDEN CENTER
626 East Roosevelt Road, Wheaton, IL Phone: (630)-668-0947
Email: wheaton1895@comcast.net http://www.wheatonlandscape.com
BILLS TREE SALES
4 E. Ogden, Westmont, IL Phone: (269)-207-0046
Email: bill@billstreesales.com http://www.billstreesales.com
IDE CHRISTMAS TREES, LLC (you can even borrow a tree here!)
1500 83rd Street, Downers Grove, IL Phone: (630)-743-4032
Email: dgfolks@juno.com
MARMION ABBEY
850 Butterfield Road, Aurora, IL Phone: 630-897-3011 Email: awahmhoff@marmion.org
http://www.abbeyfarms.org/Abbey_Farms/The_Tree_Farm.html
Here is a safety video from the National Christmas Tree Foundation. You can also visit their web site for an environmental debate on fresh vs. fake trees:
Wishing you a wonderful and safe Holiday Season filled with much Hope, Peace, Joy and Love:-)
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Debra, I am originally from Bartlett, IL. My husband and I cut down trees for several years from Oney's in Woodstock. We now have a 12' artificial that we love. This is good information for your area.
Debra,
I have had a hard time breaking from the tradition of a fresh tree..but last year I did buy an artifical tree and I do LOVE it! I really think you did a great job on this blog! Certainly a tree farm tree if you need to use a fresh one makes the most sense!
Hi there, Tammie! Great to know you like Oney's in Woodstock for fresh trees. I used to work in Bartlet many years ago, what a nice little town! I hope you enjoy your artificial tree as much as I do:-) Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and Happy Holdays to you!
Hi Lori, I am glad you love your artificial tree, too! The safety hazards of a fresh tree are just so scary, IMO. I agree that it is best to buy a fresh holiday tree at a tree farm, and at many you can cut your own tree, so it's also an adventure. Thanks so much for your kind comments and I hope your holidays are very merry:-)
We've used an artificial tree for many years because I just couldn't justify the killing of a tree each year. The safety issue can be huge as well.
Hi Brenda...I am glad to see some kindred spirits like you out there! I am not judging anyone who likes a real tree, it is a personal decision and there are pros and cons to both, but I feel the same way as you do...it just feels so sad, selfish and wasteful to me to cut down a beautiful tree just to decorate my living room for a few weeks. Thanks for stopping by and Happy Holidays to you!
Hi Debra. That is such a neat story about your dad "planting" the tree after Christmas to make you feel better. If we get motivated we will have three trees (all artificial) up for Christmas decorations in our house.
This is a great blog for your consumers with all the locations to get trees.
I moved to an artificial tree in 2003. We lived in Florida and the trees down there were plam trees. It was one of the oddest Christmases I have ever had. Have not bought a real tree since then, my cats still climb the tree - they are not fussy!
Hi Sharon! I am glad you liked that:-) I sure had a great Dad and this will be a hard 1st Christmas without him, but I sure am grateful to have had him for so long and for all he did for me over the years. I have two trees up now and will be putting a third one up this week...going a little nuts with the holiday decorations this year because I have many additional from my parent's house this year. It's really nice to see their holiday decorations around the house...they mean a lot! Sharon, thank so much, I really appreciate your comments. Have a great day and enjoy your three trees!
Hi Corrine:-) I did not realize you lived in Florida...now I would not mind a decorated Palm tree at all! Is that where you are from originally? I just love palm trees and anything tropical. My cat has been sitting under one of them, but thankfully has not tried to climb it and I hope she does not...not too good for the ornaments! Corrine, thanks for stopping by and have a really good weekend.
Debra, this is a fantastic service. No lack of trees where you are! Wonderful post.
Hi Mary! I always felt maybe I was a bit silly in that way (among others...LOL) but I am so glad to know other people get the "guilties" about a fresh tree, too. You are right about the forests, I believe and I do not judge people who like a real tree at all, it is just not for me. Like you, I just feel too bad for the tree! But, then again, I also used to feed badly for a balloon if it popped, too....so I guess I was an extra sensitive little kid! Thanks, Mary and I am glad you like my photo...I took that in my yard last year:-)
Dear Kathryn,
Thanks for stopping by and for your very kind comments on my post. You are right that we sure do have plenty of trees in Northern Illinois as I am sure you do as well in Massachusetts, right? :-) Have an awesome day, Kathryn!
Debra Kukulski Cary, IL
Hi Debra.
This is a great post for your clients to find the perfect live tree near them. Great tips as well! I can always remember going with our family to pick out a tree and attempting to lash in to the top of the STATION WAGON. It was great fun and it involved the entire family. You chose a great picture for your blog. What could be prettier than a Christmas tree with falling snow?
Debra, You took a beautiful photo. I hope you use it on a Christmas card. I love it.
HI Bruce! I love hearing the holiday stories! I know the tree shopping (and chopping!) is such a nice family tradition for so many people. I think doing traditional things during the holidays and carrying on family traditions like yours is so important. Do you still go Christmas tree shopping with your kids? I took that photo last year in may yard, thanks! Bruce, I really appreciate you stopping by...happy holidays:-)
Dear Gail...thanks so much! You know, I meant to, but I forgot about that photo until after I got most of my holiday cards out! I will have to do it next year. Gail, thanks for stopping by my blog and happy, happy holidays to you:-)
Actually we have never had a live tree, Debra. I just don't believe in having a beautiful evergreen being cut down for our benefit. That's just me though! When we get motivated we have a couple of trees put up. We reserve the one in the family room for decorations the girls made as kids. Our more formal tree at times has had sand dollars and white ribbons. It looks really nice.
That really is a beautiful photo-it almost looks like a painting!!!
Merry Christmas, Debra!
Hi there, Bruce:-) I only had one that one time. Personally, I feel the same way. I just can not justify taking down a living tree just to decorate my house for a few weeks. That is really cool that you dedicate one tree to the kid's ornaments and the sand dollar tree sounds beautiful, too. This year I have one up in memory of my Dad and one in memory of my Mom that belonged to each of them. It's nice having their decorations up this year. Happy Holidays to you and your family, Bruce!