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Cutting down our own Christmas tree is one of our favorite family activities during the holiday season, but finding the perfect tree can take some work. Now updated for the 2024 Christmas Season! If you’re wondering where to go this year, here are 13 Iowa tree farms where you’ll find the best Christmas trees!
You’ll Find the Best Christmas Trees at these Iowa Tree Farms
Before diving into Iowa’s best Christmas tree farms, let’s explore why real trees are often the better choice for both your family and the environment:
Environmental Benefits of Live Christmas Trees
Carbon Neutral: Live Christmas trees absorb CO2 while growing and are replanted annually
Biodegradable: Real trees decompose naturally, unlike artificial trees that end up in landfills
Habitat Creation: Christmas tree farms provide wildlife habitat and prevent soil erosion
Local Impact: Most artificial trees are imported from overseas, while real trees support local ecosystems
Economic Benefits
American Jobs: Supporting U.S. Christmas tree farmers helps maintain over 15,000 jobs
Local Economy: Money spent at local tree farms stays in your community. There are about 100 Christmas tree farms in Iowa to choose from, with 150,000 across all 50 US states.
Agricultural Preservation: Tree farms help preserve agricultural land from development
Sustainability Facts
For every tree harvested, farmers plant 1-3 new seedlings
Christmas trees take 8-10 years to mature, ensuring continuous farming cycles
Tree farms often use otherwise unusable, steep terrain for cultivation
Most farms practice sustainable farming methods to maintain soil health
There have been lots of changes in the last few years. Favorite tree farms like Kelly Tree Farm in Tipton and Barnes Tree Farm in Iowa City have closed permanently. Don’t fret, wee’ve found a few more spots for you to check out!
Dohmen Christmas Tree Farm
Updated for 2024: Located in Mechanicsville, Dohmen Christmas Tree Farm is a good alternative to Kelly Tree Farm which has sadly quit selling Christmas trees.
Location: 501 Delta Ave
Phone: (563) 432-7147
Features:
Open Friday, Saturday, & Sunday after Thanksgiving
Then weekends only 10 am – 4:30 pm
All trees $55
Family-owned operation
Early tagging available
Multiple tree varieties including pine, spruce, and fir
Get up-to-date information about Dohmen Christmas Trees on their facebook page.
Up North Pines – Quad Cities
2024 Update: Opening Black Friday (9 a.m.-5 p.m.), Up North Pines will be open 9 a.m. -5 p.m Friday – Sunday for three days only!
Location: 8319 Buffalo Ave., Davenport, Iowa
Quad Cities-area residents can bundle up the kids, grab a thermos of hot chocolate, and head off to UpNorth Pines in search of the season’s Christmas tree.
Features:
All trees are $49
10 acres of pine trees
Fresh wreaths & tree stands available
Payment: cash/check/credit cards (extra fee for credit cards)
For the 2024 season, Hainstock Christmas Trees will be open Saturday November 23 and Sunday November 24 from 10am to 4pm. Other times by appointment.
Location: 22700 110st Street, Delmar
Phone: (563) 320-7333
Price: $50 for trees up to 7ft
Multiple tree varieties including Canaan Fir, White Pine, Scotch Pine
Payment: Cash/check/Venmo only
Follow Hainstock Christmas Trees on Facebook for up to date information.
Handley’s Holiday Hillside – Solon
2024 Update: Opening at 10 am on Black Friday and the following Saturday & Sunday 10am-4pm until they’re out of trees!
Location: 1731 White Oak Ave NE, Solon
Phone: (319) 624-2888
NO dogs please! Bring cash or checks as Handley’s Holiday Hillside does not accept credit cards. Enjoy their warm cabin with homemade goodies! Most proceeds from the goodies sale goes to local church groups!
Honey Creek Timbers Christmas Trees & Wreaths – Morning Sun
Updates for the 2024 Christmas Tree Season: Honey Creek Timbers’ opening day will be November 23. They’re open 7 days a week from 9 am until 5 pm.
Location: 1501 L Avenue, Morning Sun
Phone: (563) 260-2634
Features:
Homemade wreaths
Choose-and-cut field featuring Scotch Pine, White Pine, White Spruce & Fraser Fir.
Pre-cut trees also available
Payment: cash, check, and credit card (Visa, Mastercard & Discover)
Follow Honey Creek Times on Facebook for up to date information.
Cedar’s Edge Evergreen Market – Ely
2023 Update: Cedar’s Edge will open at 9 am on Black Friday, November 29. Regular hours are Fridays and Saturdays 9 am – 6 pm, and Sunday – Thursday, 1 – 6 pm until sold out.
Location: 2188 Ivanhoe Road in Ely Iowa (one mile off of Highway 30)
Phone: (319) 361-7967
Features:
Custom wreaths
Tall trees available, Scotch Pines White Pines, and Fir.
Enjoy coffee, hot chocolate, cookies while choosing your tree
Follow Cedar’s Edge on Facebook for up to date information.
Strautman Tree Farm – Cambridge
2024 Update: The family farm ranks among the most popular Christmas tree farms in Iowa. Strautman Tree Farm opens for business Saturday, November 23rd, daily 9am-5pm through December 23rd
Location: 58976 290th Street, Cambridge
Phone: (515) 383-4675
Features:
90+ acres with thousands of trees
Heated shed with pre-cut options
Hot cider and cookies
Gift shop with ornaments and wreaths
Precut trees are available in a heated shed if you don’t want to cut your own.
Price Range: $60-75 per tree
Tree Types: Fir and Pine varieties
With thousands of trees to choose from over 90 acres, finding the perfect fir or pine to decorate for the holiday season may be the most challenging part of a visit to StrautmanTree Farm in Cambridge, about 30 minutes north of Des Moines.
Find up to date information about Strautman on Facebook.
Aldrich Christmas Tree Farm – Belmond
2024 Update: Located about 40 minutes southwest of Clear Lake, the Christmas tree farm is open noon until dark daily, from Friday, Nov. 29, until Christmas Eve.
Location: 1941 Taylor Ave. Belmond
Phone: (515) 571-3286
Features:
15,000 fir and pine trees to choose from
All trees are priced $59.99 no matter type or size!
You can walk or drive your vehicle through the tree farm
Enjoy hot cider and popcorn while you browse vendors’ holiday wares
Your tree will be prepped with netting and tied to your vehicle
Find up-to-date information about Alderich Christmas Tree Farm on facebook.
THE Christmas Tree Farm – Maxwell
2024 Update: THE Christmas Tree Farm will open on Black Friday, November 29, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Then, it will be open 3-5 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekends through Dec. 18. You can pre-tag trees starting on Oct 1 and pay when you retrieve them.
Location: 33459 663rd Ave, Maxwell
Phone: (515) 387-8778
Features:
4,000 trees, including Scotch Pine, White Pine, Fraser, and Concolor Fir
Santa visits (Thanksgiving weekend)
Free hot cider
Pre-tagging available from October 1st
Precut trees and holiday greenery is also available
Find THE Christmas Tree Farm at their website for up to date information.
Miller Tree Farm – Runnells
2024 Update: Opening Day is Saturday, Nov 18th for the pre-cut lot.
Cut your own hours: Thanksgiving: 3pm – 5pm & Black Friday: 9am – 5pm
Update 2024: Opening on Black Friday (8 am-5 pm), Walnut Ridge Farm is open weekdays (2-5 pm), Saturdays (8 am-5 pm), Sundays (noon-5 p.m). Last day Sunday Dec. 15!
Location: 1400 Hilcrest Drive, Indianola
Phone:
Features:
Types of trees: White Pine, Scotch Pine, Concolor Fir, and Fraser Fir
Handmade fresh greenery/wreaths and tree stands are also available
Payment: Cash, Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and Apple Pay
Update for 2024: Deal’s Tree Farm opens November 23 from Mondays – Saturdays, and Sundays 1-6 pm.
Location: 1102 244th St Jefferson
Phone: (515) 386-8279
Features:
Scotch Pine, White Spruce, Canaan Fir, and Douglas Fir
Fraser Fir available as pre-cut only
Visit the Apple Barn for apple cider, model train display, shopping, and santa’s sleigh photo ops
These are some of the things you can do in addition to finding and cutting down your Christmas tree at Deal’s Orchard.
Follow Deal’s Orchard on Facebook for up to date information.
Howell Tree Farm – Cumming
Update for 2023: Howell Tree Farm opens Nov. 23 (Saturday before Thanksgiving) and will be open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily through Dec. 23. The farm will be closed Thanksgiving Day.
Location: 3129 Howell Court, Cumming
Phone: (515) 981-4762
Features:
50+ acres with over 2,500 beautiful trees
“Marriage Saver” tree stand service
Professional cutting service
Gift shop
Make and Take classes
No pets, please.
Take a look at Howell Tree Farm’s website for up to date information.
Frequently Asked Questions {#faqs}
When is the best time to buy a Christmas tree in Iowa?
Most farms open the Friday after Thanksgiving. For best selection, visit that first weekend as many Iowa Christmas Tree Farms are only open Thanksgiving weekend.
How long do real Christmas trees last?
With proper care, a fresh-cut tree can last 4-6 weeks. Keep it watered and away from heat sources.
Tips for Choosing the Best Christmas Tree
Measure your space before visiting
Check tree freshness by gently pulling needles
Look at the tree from all angles
Consider needle retention characteristics
Ask about species best suited for your needs
What’s you favorite Iowa Christmas Tree Farm? Share in the comments.
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Michelle Marine is the author of How to Raise Chickens for Meat, a long-time green-living enthusiast, and rural Iowa mom of four. She empowers families to grow and eat seasonal, local foods; to reduce their ecological footprint; and to come together through impactful travel.
