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When the season starts
Most farms in the Santa Cruz Mountains open around Thanksgiving weekend, and a few open the weekend before. Many are open only on weekends, or have short weekday hours. The best selection is in the first two weekends. Smaller farms can run out of larger trees well before Christmas, so call ahead later in December. For crowds and timing, see the best time to visit.
What to bring
- Work gloves, since sap and needles are hard on hands
- Shoes or boots that can handle mud and slopes
- Rope or straps and an old blanket to protect your car’s roof
- A tape measure and your ceiling height, minus the stand and the topper
- Cash, in case a smaller farm can’t take cards or the connection is down
- Snacks and water, because many farms are a long way from a store
Tree varieties you’ll find
- Douglas fir
- The most common farm tree in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Soft needles, a sweet smell and a classic cone shape.
- White fir
- Bluish-green needles with a citrusy scent, and good at holding its needles indoors.
- Grand fir
- Glossy, flat needles and a strong, fresh fragrance. Fuller and softer than most firs.
- Noble fir
- Stiff, evenly spaced branches that hold heavy ornaments well. Often sold pre-cut.
- Silvertip (red fir)
- A tiered, silvery-blue fir with strong branches for ornaments.
- Monterey pine
- Native to the Central Coast, with long needles and dense, bushy growth.
- Scotch pine
- Stiff branches and very good needle retention, even if you forget to water once or twice.
- Sierra redwood (giant sequoia)
- Soft, scaly foliage and a distinctive look. A local favorite that needs plenty of water.
- Coast redwood
- Feathery, flat sprays of foliage with a light scent. Needs plenty of water.
- Incense cedar
- Lacy foliage and a warm, spicy smell.
- Spruce and blue spruce
- Sharp needles and sturdy branches. Blue spruce has a silvery-blue color.
Cutting your tree
Look at the tree from all sides and give the trunk a gentle shake. A few falling inner needles is normal, but green needles dropping is a bad sign. Cut as close to the ground as you can, keeping the cut level, and have someone hold the tree so it falls slowly. Many farms will shake out loose needles and wrap the tree in netting for you.
Driving the mountain roads
Roads like Summit, Skyline, Empire Grade and Mountain Charlie are narrow, steep and winding, with sharp turns and little shoulder. Drive slowly, watch for cyclists, and leave extra time. Tie the tree with the trunk facing forward so wind doesn’t catch the branches. Cell service is patchy in places, so load directions before you leave.
Keeping it fresh at home
If more than a few hours pass between cutting and setting it up, saw a thin slice off the base so the tree can drink. Put it in water right away and check the stand every day; a fresh tree can drink a lot in the first week. Keep it away from heaters and fireplaces, and it should stay green through the holidays.