Artificial or real?
According to the American Christmas Tree Association, 80 percent of us that put up Christmas trees will be artificial this year.
And if you opt for real the odds are you are going to drop by a big box retailer to select your tree, and not an independent tree lot with the traditional trappings such as a fire pit that went the way of the dodo bird in California due to air quality rules.
That said, hardly anyone seems any more to bundle up the kids, pile the family into the station wagon — or should that be the SUV — and head to the hills in search of the perfect Christmas tree.
It’s an experience that’s worth doing at least once with your kids — or grandkids.
Selecting a Christmas tree in a fenced off area on a parking lot isn’t the same magic as running around a Christmas tree farm in the hills looking for “the perfect” tree.
Granted it is a Christmas tree farm so it isn’t like venturing out into the woods for a Currier & Ives moment. But there is a lot to be said about making a Christmas tree search a half day or a day-long family outing.
While independent Christmas tree lots around communities like Ceres were once a dime a dozen, Christmas tree farms were more like a dollar a dozen.
But the shift to artificial trees and big box retailers didn’t just whittle down the independent tree lots but it also slashed the number of Christmas tree farms left in California. The last drought didn’t help things much.
There are still three Christmas tree farms nestled in the foothills of Tuolumne and Calaveras counties.
But if you head a little farther north to Apple Hill in El Dorado County, you can find six Christmas tree farms.
The area east of Placerville north of Highway 50 not only has a healthy sprinkling of Christmas tree farms but owners have expanded on the outdoor experience to make it even more of an adventure.
Apple Hill also has other options still open this time of year for everything from handcrafted chocolates and fresh apple cider and homemade pies to wine tasting rooms.
The following are some options — including a tree farm that has been judged one of the state’s best — where you can cut down your own Christmas memories based on information gleaned from their respective websites.
It is always best to call ahead, especially with the non-Apple Hill locations. An unanticipated closure could have you making a trip and coming up empty handed.
Given the variety of options plus six Christmas tree farms, Apple Hill is the best bet for a day excursion.
TUOLUMNE COUNTY
Bramble Hill Christmas Tree Farm
• LOCATION & CONTACT INFO: 12161 Cattle Drive Trail, Columbia, call 209-743-8154 or email christmas@bramblehillfarms.com
• DIRECTIONS: Take Parrots Ferry Road into Columbia. Turn onto Jackson Street and go one short block and turn left at the stop sign. They are 2 miles out Italian Bar Road. You will be able to follow their signs.
• HOURS: Open Dec. 1-3 10 a.m. until . 3 p.m.
• TREE OPTIONS: Douglas Fir, White Fir, Nordman Fir, Myer Spruce, Scotch Pine, Sierra Redwood, Cedar, and others
CALAVERAS COUNTY
ALTO TREE FARM
• LOCATION & CONTACT INFO: 839 Spink Road, West Point, email Gregcooper108@gmail.com, 209-293-4936
•DIRECTIONS: From Jackson, Take Highway 88 east 15 miles to Highway 26 (Red Corral Road), to West Point Main Street. Turn right on Spink Road, 2/10 mile to farm. Follow signs to 839 Spink Road
• HOURS: Opens Saturday after Thanksgiving; 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays: noon to 4:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday.
• TREE OPTIONS: Douglas Fir, White Fir, Cedar, Redwood, Scotch Pine, White Fir, and Blue Spruce
*NOTES: You can enjoy a ride with Santa, trees over 10 feet available, picnic area, hay/wagon/tractor rides, free candy canes, free coffee, free garland/boughs, apple cider/refreshments
Anderson Christmas Tree Farm
LOCATION & CONTACT INFO: 1743 Mustang Road, Murphys, email andersontreefarm@me.com
Website: andersontreefarm.net/Site/Christmas_tree_Farm.html 209-454-1349 For the latest info check https://www.facebook.com/andersonchristmastreefarm/
• DIRECTIONS: Take Highway 4 to Pennsylvania Gulch Road. Travel about 1 mile on Pennsylvania Gulch Road then turn right on Skunk Ranch Road. Travel about 1/4 mile and turn left onto Mustang Road. Mustang road is the gravel road to the left. The farm is about 300 yards up the hill on the left.
• HOURS: Opens the day after Thanksgiving then open every day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• TREE OPTIONS: Douglas Fir, Scotch Pine. Cedar, Sequoia, and Fresh cut Noble Fir, Nordman and Grand Fir
• NOTES: Trees over 10 feet available, wreathes and garlands for sale, freshly cut trees of other species available, Christmas Gift Shop.
