Christmas has always been my favorite time of year. Not because of the presents or even the food, but because of the memories, the traditions, and that feeling of magic that seems to fill the entire house.
Growing up in Lithuania, some of my favorite Christmas memories were the simplest ones. I remember my dad placing our Christmas tree on the balcony, surrounded by snow. There was something so magical about seeing it sitting there in the winter cold. It is one of those childhood memories that has stayed with me all these years.
In Lithuania, we typically decorate our Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. Even now, after living in the United States for so many years, that tradition is one of the things that makes me feel connected to home.
When you move to another country at 19, you leave so many familiar things behind. You build a new life, create new traditions, and find ways to bring pieces of your childhood with you. For me, Christmas has always been one of those things.
Long before I had children, I made sure to have a real Christmas tree. And not just any tree. For more than 20 years, I have always tried to find the biggest, most beautiful tree that would fit in my living room.
I have pictures of my dogs next to the tree, pictures of me with my boyfriend at the time, and now pictures of my children standing next to it. The tree has changed, the people in the pictures have changed, and my life has changed, but the tradition has stayed.
I have even hauled a massive Christmas tree up to the third floor of an apartment and balanced it on my shoulder while trying to get it into the stand. Honestly, that takes some serious skills.
So, yes, Christmas tree shopping is a serious business in our house.
I can easily spend an hour looking for the perfect tree. My husband, on the other hand, would probably describe this as one of his least favorite Christmas traditions. He knows exactly what is coming when we arrive at the tree lot: me walking around, inspecting every tree, changing my mind, and insisting that the next one might be the one.
But finding our Christmas tree is about more than decorating the house. It is about creating memories that our children will hopefully carry with them long after they have grown up.
If you are looking for Christmas tree farms in Atlanta, especially places where you can choose and cut your own tree, here are a few options to consider, along with some lessons I learned from our own Christmas tree adventures.
Christmas Tree Shopping Before and After Kids
For years, I bought our Christmas tree from local tree lots. Home Depot can be a perfectly good option, too, and I used to buy ours from the Costco tree lot before they stopped selling them at our location.
There is nothing wrong with choosing a tree this way. You can walk around, find one you love, load it onto your car, and be home in no time.
But once I had children, I wanted to make Christmas even more special. I wanted the tree itself to become part of the experience, something we did together rather than just another item on our holiday to-do list.
For several years, we went to the Christmas tree lot at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Tucker, where the trees were sold by local Boy Scouts, including Tucker’s Scout Troop 129.
I loved that little tree lot. They had gorgeous Fraser firs, the trees were beautifully shaped, and the prices were surprisingly affordable. One of the sweetest details was that each tree had its own name.
Yes, a name!
Instead of simply picking a tree, it felt like we were bringing a new friend home for Christmas. It was such a fun little detail, and the trees were beautiful.
I went back year after year.
Then, last year, we decided to try something different: a cut-your-own Christmas tree farm.
Our First Cut-Your-Own Christmas Tree Experience at Berry’s Christmas Tree Farm
We decided to visit Berry’s Christmas Tree Farm in Covington, about 30 miles east of Atlanta.
I had seen pictures of people going to Christmas tree farms, walking through fields of trees, and cutting down their own. It looked like such a fun family experience, and I wanted our kids to have that memory.
And it really was an experience.
When you arrive, you get a saw and information about the different types of trees available. The trees are color-coded, so you can identify the varieties as you drive through the fields looking for the perfect one.
Then comes the fun part: finding your tree.
And when I say the fields are massive, I mean it. You drive around, look at the trees, get out to inspect them, and keep searching until you find one you love.
If you are anything like me, this could take a while.
Eventually, we found our tree. Cutting it down was definitely more work than I expected, but the kids loved being part of the process. We took turns sawing, and my husband put some serious elbow grease into getting that tree down.
Once we had it, we loaded it onto the car and drove back to the front, where the staff trimmed it and secured it to the roof of our vehicle. The kids also had the opportunity to take a picture with Santa for an additional fee.
The whole experience was fun, and I can absolutely see why families make a tradition of visiting a cut-your-own Christmas tree farm every year.
The trees were beautifully grown, and we found the pricing very affordable compared with what I expected.
But there was one downside I didn’t anticipate.
The downside of our cut-your-own tree
For more than 20 years, I have been loyal to Fraser firs. I love their shape, their branches, and the way they look decorated. Perhaps part of the reason I love them so much is that they remind me of the Christmas trees I grew up seeing in Europe.
Unfortunately, the varieties available to cut down at Berry’s were not Fraser firs. The farm did offer pre-cut Fraser firs, but those weren’t the trees you could choose and cut yourself.
And for us, cutting down our own tree was the whole point of the trip.
There is a practical reason for this, too. Fraser firs are grown in the cooler mountain climates of North Carolina, rather than being a typical choose-and-cut crop in the Atlanta area.
The other issue was how quickly our tree dried out.
We didn’t get it into water on the same day we brought it home, which was our mistake. Even so, it dried out much faster than I expected. The needles became incredibly sharp, and I actually cut my hands while hanging ornaments. It also dropped needles constantly. By the time we took it down, there was hardly anything left.
That was disappointing, especially after such a fun experience finding and cutting it down.
Would I recommend trying a cut-your-own Christmas tree farm? Absolutely. It was a great family outing, and I am glad we did it.
Would I choose that particular type of tree again? Probably not.
Next time, I may have to find a way to combine the experience of cutting our own tree with my lifelong love of Fraser firs. Or perhaps I will return to a tree lot and bring home another beautiful tree with a name.
Because if there is one thing I have learned after more than 20 years of Christmas tree shopping, I am very particular about my tree.
Christmas Tree Farms in Atlanta and Nearby Areas
If you are looking for a real Christmas tree in the Atlanta area, you have several options. Some places let you walk through the fields and cut your own tree, while others sell pre-cut trees. A few also offer family activities and beautiful settings for Christmas photos.
Here are three farms worth looking into.
1. Berry’s Christmas Tree Farm — Covington, GA
Best for: A cut-your-own Christmas tree adventure with the family.
Berry’s Christmas Tree Farm is where we had our first choose-and-cut experience. It is located in Covington, east of Atlanta, and offers a large selection of trees, including varieties you can cut yourself and pre-cut Fraser firs.
You can get a saw, explore the fields, choose your tree, and cut it down as a family. The farm also offers seasonal activities such as pictures with Santa, a Christmas shop, and other family-friendly attractions.
For us, the highlight was the experience itself. The kids got to help choose the tree, take turns cutting it, and watch it get secured to the car. It made the whole process feel like a Christmas adventure rather than an errand.
What to know: If you specifically want a Fraser fir, check the farm’s current selection before visiting. Pre-cut Fraser firs and choose-and-cut trees are different options.
- Location: 70 Mt. Tabor Road, Covington, GA
- Website: Berry’s Christmas Tree Farm
2. Bottoms Christmas Tree Farm — Cumming, GA
Best for: A traditional choose-and-cut experience and a beautiful farm setting.
Bottoms Christmas Tree Farm is another option for families looking for Christmas tree farms near Atlanta. Located in Cumming, it offers choose-and-cut trees, as well as fresh-cut Fraser firs brought in from North Carolina.
That combination may be especially appealing if, like me, you love the idea of cutting down your own tree but don’t want to give up your favorite variety of tree entirely.
The farm has a beautiful setting, with open fields and other scenic areas. I have photographed families here, and it really is a lovely place for Christmas photos.
If you are considering a holiday photo session, this is one of those locations that feels festive without needing a lot of extra decorations. The trees and landscape do most of the work.
Bottoms also offers seasonal activities, including hayrides, hot chocolate, s’mores, and opportunities to see Santa on select dates.
What to know: The farm is popular for Christmas tree shopping and photography, so check the current tree availability, hours, and photography policies before planning your visit.
- Location: 5880 John Burruss Road, Cumming, GA
- Website: Bottoms Christmas Tree Farm
And if you are interested in having your family photographed at Bottoms Tree Farm, feel free to reach out to me about a Christmas tree farm photography session.
3. Sleepy Hollow Farm — Powder Springs, GA
Best for: A Christmas tree outing with a farm atmosphere.
Sleepy Hollow Farm is another option to consider, particularly if you live on the west side of the Atlanta metro area.
Located in Powder Springs, the farm offers Christmas trees alongside other seasonal farm experiences. It has a country store and farm animals, making it a place where you can spend some time exploring rather than simply picking up a tree and leaving.
I have photographed families here, too. The property has a lovely setting, and the owners have been nice to work with.
Although I haven’t personally purchased a Christmas tree from Sleepy Hollow, it is worth including on your list if you want to explore options beyond the more familiar tree lots.
What to know: Check the farm’s website for current-season tree availability, pricing, opening dates, and photography rules. Its tree season and photography policies can differ from those at other farms.
- Location: 628 Sleepy Hollow Road, Powder Springs, GA
- Website: Sleepy Hollow Farm
Other Ways to Buy a Christmas Tree in Atlanta
Not everyone wants to spend an afternoon driving through fields, inspecting trees, and debating whether the next one might be better. And that is perfectly fine.
There is no single right way to find your Christmas tree. It really depends on what matters most to you: convenience, variety, price, or the experience itself.
Local Christmas tree lots
This is where I spent many Christmas seasons before we had kids.
A local tree lot is convenient, especially if you already know what kind of tree you want. You can compare several trees in one place, find one that fits your space, and have it loaded onto your vehicle.
If you are looking for a Fraser fir, ask whether the lot carries them and when its shipment arrives. Availability can vary from one seller to another.
One of my favorite memories is buying Fraser firs from the Christmas tree lot at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Tucker. The lot was operated by Scouts, including members of Troop 129, and I loved both the trees and the community connection.
I was especially fond of the way each tree had its own name. It made picking one feel a little more personal.
I would check current-season information before making a trip, since local lots and their inventory can change from year to year.
Big-box stores
Home Depot and other large retailers can also be convenient places to buy a real Christmas tree.
The main advantage is simplicity. You can often find a tree without driving far outside the city or planning an entire family outing around it.
Selection and tree varieties vary by location and season, so it is worth checking what is available before heading out.
Cut-your-own Christmas tree farms
If the experience matters as much as the tree, a choose-and-cut farm is worth considering.
You get to walk through the fields, compare trees in their natural setting, and choose the one you want to bring home. Children can be involved in the process, and the outing becomes part of your family’s holiday memories.
The trade-off is that you may have fewer choices if you are looking for a particular tree variety. Farms grow different types of trees depending on their location and climate, so your favorite tree may not be available to cut yourself.
You should also consider travel time, the physical work of cutting and transporting the tree, and how you will care for it once you get home.
What Kind of Christmas Tree Should You Buy?
If you have ever stood in front of a row of Christmas trees wondering why they all look slightly different, you are not alone.
Different varieties have different shapes, needle characteristics, branch structures, and scents. The best tree for you depends on the look you want and how you plan to decorate it.
Here are a few varieties you may encounter at Atlanta-area tree farms and lots.
Fraser fir
This is my personal favorite. Fraser firs have a classic Christmas tree shape, sturdy branches, and a beautiful appearance when decorated.
They are often brought into Georgia from North Carolina, where the mountain climate is better suited to growing them.
If you prefer a traditional, full-looking tree with branches that can support ornaments, a Fraser fir is worth considering.
Leyland cypress
Leyland cypress trees are commonly grown in the Southeast. They have soft foliage and a different look from the traditional fir tree.
Their branch structure and foliage can make them a good option for families who want a tree grown locally.
Carolina Sapphire
Carolina Sapphire trees have a distinctive blue-green color and a fresh fragrance. They offer a different look from the classic dark-green Fraser fir.
If you want something a little different, this variety may be worth exploring.
Virginia pine
Virginia pine is another variety grown in the Southeast. It has a more traditional pine appearance and can be an option at some choose-and-cut farms.
Because varieties differ in branch strength, needle retention, and overall shape, I recommend seeing the tree in person whenever possible.
How to Choose the Perfect Christmas Tree
If you are particular about your Christmas tree like I am, here are a few things to consider before bringing one home.
1. Measure your space first.
Think about the height of your ceilings, the space available around the tree, and the height of your tree stand. Remember to leave room for the topper, too.
2. Decide what type of tree you want.
If you have a favorite variety, check availability before visiting. Not every farm grows every type of tree, and pre-cut trees may offer different options from those available to cut yourself.
3. Check the tree’s freshness.
Look for a tree with healthy-looking needles and flexible branches. Avoid trees that appear excessively dry or shed large numbers of green needles when handled.
4. Think about your ornaments.
If you have heavy or sentimental ornaments, pay attention to branch strength and spacing. I collect ornaments that mean something to me and add new ones each year, so this is an important consideration.
5. Have a plan for getting it home.
A large tree can be surprisingly heavy and awkward to transport. Make sure you have suitable vehicle space, tie-downs, and help if you need it.
6. Get it into water promptly.
Once you get home, make a fresh cut at the base if needed and place the tree in a stand with water as soon as possible. Check the water level frequently, especially during the first few days.
I learned that last lesson the hard way. A beautiful tree is not nearly as enjoyable when it dries out early and leaves needles all over the house.
When Should You Buy Your Christmas Tree in Atlanta?
This is where my personal Christmas philosophy may differ from yours.
I will never be the person buying a Christmas tree before Thanksgiving.
I know that many families love getting their trees up early, and I understand why. The season is short, and there is something lovely about enjoying your decorations for as long as possible.
But I like to take one holiday at a time. Thanksgiving deserves its own moment before Christmas takes over the house.
There is also a personal reason for waiting. I am Catholic, and in my family, we traditionally keep our Christmas tree up until January 6, the Feast of the Epiphany. That is another reason I don’t feel the need to rush into Christmas decorating in early November.
Of course, there is a practical side to this decision.
Christmas tree farms and local lots can sell out, especially as the season progresses. If you wait too long, you may have fewer options or find that your preferred variety is no longer available.
If you want a cut-your-own tree, check opening dates and availability before planning your visit. If you want a Fraser fir, ask when fresh shipments are expected.
My advice? You don’t have to rush into Christmas before you are ready, but don’t wait until the last minute if you have your heart set on a particular tree.
And if you see a tree that you absolutely love, perhaps don’t spend another hour looking for a better one.
I say this as someone who will probably spend another hour looking for a better one.
Christmas Tree Farms in Atlanta: Which Option Is Right for You?
Choosing where to buy a Christmas tree comes down to the experience you want and the kind of tree you hope to bring home.
If convenience is your priority, a local tree lot or big-box retailer may be all you need.
If you want a family outing, a choose-and-cut farm offers a chance to make the tree itself part of your holiday tradition.
And if you are looking for a beautiful setting for family photos, farms such as Bottoms Tree Farm and Sleepy Hollow offer scenic backdrops worth exploring. Just make sure to check their photography rules and booking requirements.
For me, Christmas tree shopping will always be a little more involved than it needs to be. I want the biggest tree that fits, the right shape, the right branches, and the perfect spot for all those ornaments collected over the years.
But I also know that the tree is only one part of the tradition.
The real memories are the ones made along the way: the kids helping choose it, my husband doing most of the heavy lifting, the ornaments we unpack every year, and the familiar feeling of home that comes with decorating the tree.
Those are the things I hope my children remember.
And maybe, many years from now, they will be the ones spending an hour looking for the perfect Christmas tree with their own families.
More Family-Friendly Things to Do Around Atlanta
If you are planning seasonal outings with your family, you may also enjoy these local guides:
- Apple Picking Near Atlanta — Find another seasonal tradition to enjoy with your family.
- Fall Activities to Enjoy With Kids in Atlanta — Discover family-friendly ways to enjoy the fall season around Atlanta.
Capture Your Family’s Story This Season
As an Atlanta newborn, maternity, and family photographer, I love photographing the moments that make your family yours.
From the anticipation of welcoming a new baby to the beautiful chaos of life with little ones, these are the seasons of life that deserve to be remembered. The photographs you take now will become part of your family’s story, just as those childhood Christmas memories in Lithuania have stayed with me.
If you are looking for a photographer who values genuine connection, natural moments, and timeless photographs, I would love to hear from you.
Explore my Atlanta family photography and newborn photography services, or get in touch here to tell me what you are planning.
Here’s to finding your perfect Christmas tree farm in Atlanta, making new memories, and creating traditions your children will carry with them for years to come.
