Is your family team real tree or team fake tree? We can help settle the long-standing debate about which option is better for the environment if you're looking to make more "green" choices this Holiday season.
According to The Nature Conservatory, real trees help fight climate change, and even though your Christmas tree is cut down, you’re actually supporting forests. But why are fake trees so bad for the environment?
"In the U.S., around 10 million artificial trees are purchased each season. Nearly 90% of them are shipped across the world from China, resulting in an increase of carbon emissions and resources. And because of the material they are made of, most artificial trees are not recyclable and end up in local landfills." Read more on Nature.org
If selecting a real tree for your home is on your family's list of traditions (or maybe it wasn't, but is now!), see our list of nearby Christmas tree farms and local tree lots below! Because there is nothing better than the fresh smell of pine in your living room!
Places with Pre-Cut Trees |
B.R. Ryall YMCA
49 Deicke Drive, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
- Prices range from $70-$155, Credit card payments only
- Buying a tree from the YMCA helps provide financial assistance for youth summer camps, swimming lessons, our teen mental health initiatives, and affordable daycare options for families in need
- Tree Lot Hours:
- Black Friday, Nov. 24 – 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 25 – 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Join us for our Winter Wonderland Event from 9-11 a.m. Click here to learn more.)
Sunday, Nov. 26 – 12-6 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 27 – Friday, Dec. 1 – 5-8 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 2 – 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 3 – 12-6 p.m.
- Black Friday, Nov. 24 – 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Cosley Zoo
1356 N. Gary Ave., Wheaton, IL 60187
- Open November 24 - December 24; 9 AM - 9 PM
- Four varieties of trees ranging from 3’ to 12’! Wreaths, greens, and garland are also available for purchase
- Stay for the free Festival of Lights - lights turn on at 3 PM
Wheaton Nurseries
626 E Roosevelt Rd, Wheaton, IL 60187
- Open Mon-Sat: 9 AM - 9 PM; Sunday: 9 AM - 7 PM
Barn Owl Garden Center
1n583 S Gary Avenue, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188
- Open Mon-Thur: 9 AM - 6 PM, Fri-Sat: 9 AM - 5 PM, Sun: 11 AM - 5 PM
Platt Hill Nursery
222 W Lake St, Bloomingdale, IL 60108
- Open Mon-Fri 9 AM – 8 PM; Sat & Sun 9 AM – 6 PM
Tony's Tree Lot
Wheaton VFW 0N731 Papworth St, Wheaton, IL 60187
- Open 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Tree Farms with U-Cut Options |
Abbey Farms
2855 Hart Rd, Aurora, IL 60502
- Free Reservations required
- 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM, Last field entry is 1 hour before close, fields do not have lights
- FREE donut & small Hot Chocolate with tree purchase
- Saws available for a fully refundable $10 cash deposit. Check in at the U-Cut Staging area for a field map and saw.
Lee's Trees
45W002 Lees Road, Lily Lake, IL 60151
- Open Saturdays and Sundays, 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
- Tagged individually and priced by size, species, and quality, the average price is $85
- Before you leave, they'll capture a holiday photo by your tree or one of the decorated trees. The following season, you can "harvest" your Christmas photo from one of the display boards
Richardson Family Farm
9407 Richardson Rd, Spring Grove, IL 60081
- Open 7 days a week, 9 AM - 6 PM
- Due to drought in recent years, cut-your-own tree is only available November 24 - December 3 this year
- December 3 through 10, pre-cut trees only - along with donuts, fudge, wreaths, garland
Williams Tree Farm
4661 Yale Bridge Rd, Rockton, IL 61072
- Open 7 days a week, 9 AM - 7 PM
- Prices range from $22-$128; Shaking $.75, Baling $1.25
- SANTA VISITS 10AM to 4PM, Weekends: Nov 18th, 19st, 24th, 25th, 26th, Dec 2rd, 3rd, 9th, 10th, 17th & 18th
Grandpa's Christmas Tree Farm
13616 IL-176, Woodstock, IL 60098
- Open November 24, 25, 26 and December 2, 3, 9, 10. Gates open at 9 AM and close at 3:30 PM
- All trees are the same price $85 (including tax) regardless of size or variety; cash, check or credit card
- Free hot chocolate, tractor driven hayrides, and shaking and baling of your tree
Worried about what to do with your tree after the holidays are over? Wheaton offers FREE curbside tree recycling.
The City's garbage/recycling hauler will pick up live Christmas trees for recycling on your collection day during the weeks of Jan. 2, 2023, and Jan. 9, 2023, at no charge, with no sticker needed.
During this free two-week collection period, place your tree at the curb, and make sure trees are free of all decorations and are not in plastic bags. After the two-week collection period, you will need to attach 1 garbage/organic sticker to a Christmas tree to have it collected.
Details here: https://wheaton.il.us/369/Christmas-Tree-Recycling
Need some other tips on setting up your live tree and keeping it healthy and thriving all season long? Use these great tips from everyone's favorite Instagram grandma, Babs!
We'd really ❤️ if you'd share this guide with friends
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Looking for more Winter Fun? Check out our Ultimate Guide to Family Friendly Holiday Fun for drive-thru light displays, Christmas tree farms, ice skating rinks, Santa sightings, and more:
Macaroni Kid Wheaton is a free weekly newsletter and website focused on fun family events and information in the Wheaton area and Western Suburbs in and around Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Glen Ellyn, Glendale Heights, Lisle, Lombard, Warrenville, West Chicago, Wheaton, and Winfield. We gather together all kinds of local family events and activities each week, and add useful information about classes, family-focused businesses, event and product reviews, recipes, crafts, school and camp guides and more.
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