Cut Your Own Christmas Tree in the Roanoke Valley

Words by Cathy Colver Garland

A cherished Garland family photo has me holding my two-year-old son upside down while my husband, Mickey, secures our freshly cut Christmas tree to the roof of our SUV. I was a relatively new mother, and apparently I'd underestimated what happens when you turn a toddler loose on a Christmas tree farm. My son was convinced he'd finally found a place where running free was not only permitted but encouraged. I was just trying to keep him from disappearing into the evergreens.

These days, I generally buy our tree from the Christmas tree lot on Franklin Road. (The owner also always lets me take a bunch of leftover cuttings for my mantle for free.) It's convenient, the trees are beautiful, and I can get home without chasing anyone through a field. But I still remember the fun (and chaos) of choosing and cutting our own tree.

For families looking to make that kind of memory, the Roanoke Valley and surrounding mountains offer plenty of opportunities. I spoke with local Christmas tree growers about what makes their farms special, what families should expect, and what they've learned from decades of watching children grow up among their trees.

A Christmas Tradition That Grows With Your Family

One thing surprised me during these conversations: nearly every grower mentioned generations of families returning year after year.

John Hamill of Hamill Christmas Tree Farm in Roanoke says his father began growing trees in 1962 and selling them in 1974. Today, some customers represent at least three generations of the same family. For Hamill, seeing happy families is a welcome change from the solitary work of growing trees throughout the year.

At Sweet Providence Farm in Floyd, John Houston has watched children grow up and return with children of their own. The same is true for Robert O'Keeffe at Rifton Farm & Nursery, where the Christmas tree tradition stretches back more than 50 years.

The nostalgic in me loves the thought that while these farmers are patiently growing Christmas trees, the children who once ran through their fields are growing up, too. And one day, those same children return as parents, holding little hands, carrying saws, and making Christmas memories with families of their own.

You don't have to leave Roanoke to enjoy the choose-and-cut experience. Located on King Street NE, Hamill Christmas Tree Farm offers both field-grown trees and pre-cut options.

Families can borrow a saw and cut their own tree, though Hamill says most customers prefer to have someone cut it for them. Available varieties include White pine, Virginia pine, Canaan fir, and Norway spruce, with pre-cut Fraser firs also offered. Prices begin around $40.

This is a straightforward tree farm rather than an activity-based destination, but that's part of its appeal. Children can explore among the trees, and families can enjoy the experience without traveling far from home. Just be sure to bring your own ties for securing the tree to your vehicle and be prepared to manage it mostly on your own.

Hamill offers one useful warning for first-time visitors: don't assume the pre-cut trees are your only option! The choose-and-cut area is available, too. And pay attention to the entrance so you don't end up in the wrong driveway.

At Ingemont Christmas Tree Farm in Blue Ridge, the unofficial star of the show has four legs.

Jebediah, the farm's resident dog and official mascot, loves children. There's also a Santa sleigh where families can take pictures, but be sure to check the website for dates Santa himself is scheduled to visit.

Geoff Trevillian says the farm is entering its 46th season, with some customers now bringing a fourth generation. He particularly enjoys watching families spend time together, and he tries to keep prices affordable. Trees range from approximately $60 to $80, with the price determined by variety rather than height.

Ingemont offers White pine, Concolor fir, Canadian Valley fir, and Leyland cypress. Trevillian particularly likes the citrus-like fragrance of Concolor fir. Families choose their tree, and the farm handles the cutting, baling, loading, and securing.

One distinctive tradition is Tag A Tree Day, scheduled for the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Families can select a tree ahead of time and return for pickup later. If your family enjoys choosing the tree together but isn't ready to decorate before Thanksgiving, this might be your solution.

At Nelson's Christmas Tree Farm in Fincastle, Frank Nelson enjoys seeing children having fun outdoors. His family's tradition goes back about 30 years, and customers who once visited as children now bring their own families.

The farm offers Canaan fir, Concolor fir, and Norway spruce for cutting, along with pre-cut Fraser firs. Saws are provided, and choose-and-cut trees generally cost $12–$15 per foot.

Nelson's is a good option for families who want to do the cutting themselves without a long list of organized activities. Virginia Mountain Vineyards is across the street, which may interest parents who might welcome a separate stop.

Nelson also shared a practical piece of advice that could save your tree on the trip home: put the trunk toward the front of the vehicle, not the tip. That way, the wind moves over the branches to keep the tree in shape.

If your family wants the Christmas tree outing to be an event, Sweet Providence Farm in Floyd has built an experience around the tradition.

The farm encompasses more than 40 acres, and Houston encourages visitors to allow enough time to explore. Families can choose and cut their own tree or ask for assistance. Fraser fir, White pine, Concolor fir, and Canaan fir are among the varieties available.

But the tree is only part of the visit. There's a large shop featuring locally made ornaments and gifts, wreaths and garland, homemade cookies, hot chocolate, coffee, and cider. Children can write letters to Santa and receive personalized responses, while a bonfire and s'mores add to the experience for older kids.

Houston describes the atmosphere as something approaching the Christmas magic of a Hallmark movie, which makes me want to add this to my list.

The fields are hilly, so families with small children may find a red wagon more useful than a stroller. And if the trip to Floyd isn't practical, Sweet Providence also operates the pre-cut tree lot at Hunting Hills Shopping Plaza on Franklin Road I mentioned before.