U-Cut Christmas Tree Farms for Seattle-Area Families

Family with a live u cut Christmas tree at a Christmas tree farm

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Picking out a Christmas tree is a big deal for many families, a marker of the season. Sure, you could grab a nice-looking tree on your grocery run or even dust off the plastic one you have in the garage, but where’s the fun in that? Maybe this is the year to head out to a U-cut Christmas tree farm and turn your tree selection into a real-live family outing!

In addition to beautiful live Christmas trees, some Christmas tree farms offer free hot beverages, visits with Santa, festive photo ops, wagon rides and more. And not to worry, cutting down your own tree is not as intimidating as it might sound. Most farms offer precut options to choose from if hand-sawing isn’t your thing.

Whether you source your tree from a U-cut farm or by foraging in a national forest (find details at the end of this article), the family time, rosy cheeks and fresh evergreen scent wafting through your home will make the trek well worth it.

Important: We recommend double-checking the farm’s website or Facebook page before heading out, as availability can change day by day.

Stocker Farms, Snohomish

Stocker Farms keeps families visiting in all seasons: sunflowers in the summer, pumpkins in the fall and trees in the winter! With five types of U-cut or precut trees to choose from, you are sure to find your perfect living-room centerpiece. Hot beverages and goodies are available for purchase in the gift shop. Stocker Farms is holding a preopening weekend, Nov. 23–24, 2024, then the farm will be open daily, Nov. 29–Dec. 15, 2024. Check the website and the Facebook page for details and updates.

Location: 8705 Marsh Rd., Snohomish

Buttonwood Farm, Redmond

Buttonwood Farm grows 100 percent organic trees. Get your hands dirty cutting your tree and loading it yourself or take advantage of their white glove delivery service. This Christmas tree farm is open by appointment only again this year and it books up fast! Open select days starting Nov. 16, 2024. Check the website or Facebook page for updates.

Location: 14500 N.E. 116th St., Redmond

Trinity Tree Farm, Issaquah

This Christmas tree farm is a favorite of many Seattle- and Eastside-area families. It gets busy on the weekends, so try going on a weekday. Warm up with a hot beverage or browse the gift shop in the log cabin. Opening day is Nov. 23, 2024, and they will remain open until trees sell out. Once open, the farm’s hours are Monday–Friday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Tip: This farm has some fun special events planned! Check the farm’s website or Facebook page for details. Closed Thanksgiving day.

Location: 14237 228th Ave. S.E., Issaquah

Schilter Family Farm, Olympia

Survey this Christmas tree farm to find your majestic match. Once you have picked your perfect tree, it will be delivered to the barn for you. Hot drinks and cider donuts are available for purchase on weekends. There is a lighted nativity scene to view. On the first two Saturdays of the season you can take a wagon ride to visit Santa (Nov. 30 and Dec. 7, noon–3 p.m.). Flocking is available if you want that fresh-snow look. Open daily Nov. 29–Dec. 15, 2024. Visit the farm’s Facebook page for more details.

Location: 141 Nisqually Cutoff Rd. S.E., Olympia

Serres Farm, Redmond

Serres Farm is a small farm tucked away in Redmond, just off of Redmond–Fall City Road. Stay warm with a free hot beverage while searching the Christmas tree forest. Opening day for 2024 will be after Thanksgiving, and the farm operates Friday–Sunday until trees sell out. Call 425-868-3017 or check the farm’s Facebook page for updates.

Location: 20306 N.E. 50th St., Redmond

Mountain Creek Christmas Tree Farm, Snoqualmie

A farm with a view, this longtime Christmas tree farm is located near the base of beautiful Mount Si. Appointments are required for U-cut Christmas trees Nov. 16 through Dec. 1, 2024; after that the farm is open to all with no reservations needed, daily Dec. 2–23, or until trees sell out. Book on the website; call 425-888-1770 with questions.

Location: 6821 440th Ave. S.E., Snoqualmie

Honeytree Farm, Auburn

Grab some free hot cider or cocoa to warm your hands and then set off on your Christmas tree hunt! You will find plenty of options and variety on this 11-acre farm. When your mission is complete, grab a bag of kettle corn, check out the gift shop and get a candy cane from jolly ol’ Saint Nick himself! (Note that Santa is around weekends only.) Open daily starting Nov. 29, 2024, until precut trees are sold out (anticipated to be sometime after the second weekend in December). Get the net-and-bale treatment for your tree for $2. Check the Facebook page for details and updates.

Location: 21606 S.E. Green Valley Rd., Auburn

Coates Christmas Trees, Auburn

Cheer abounds at this wonderfully decorated Christmas tree farm in Auburn. Indulge in a hot drink, take a picture with Santa (Nov. 29–30 and Dec. 1, 7, 8, 14, 15 only, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.) and find your perfect tree! Leashed pets are welcome here. Open Nov. 29, 2024, daily until they sell out. Call 253-709-6293 or check the Facebook page for updates.

Location: 17225 S.E. Green Valley Rd., Auburn

Carnation Tree Farm, Carnation

Take in a bit of history at this farm listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Here the farmers grow a variety of different Christmas trees and provide twine, tree-shaking, baling and tree recycling with every purchase. This spot also sells a variety of other greens for decorating. Opening day is Nov. 29, 2024; the farm is open Friday–Sunday, until trees are sold out. Be sure to call ahead (425-369-7999), as the farm sells out quickly.

Location: 3851 Tolt Ave., Carnation

Christmas Creek Tree Farm, North Bend

Stay warm with some complimentary hot cider or coffee and peruse the amazing selection of trees offered at Christmas Creek. This farm offers precut and U-cut live Christmas trees, plus plenty of yummy treats for purchase. Opening day is Nov. 29, 2024. If you want to cut your own tree, you can sign up for a preseason U-cut only spot on Nov. 23 or 27. The farm will be running with limited staff during these two preseason days, but the fires will be going to warm you up with your cup of free cider or coffee.

This year Santa Nights are on Dec. 6 or 8, 2024. More details are coming soon, be sure to check the farm’s website or Facebook page for updates.

Location: 15515 468th Ave. S.E., North Bend

Farmer Brown’s Christmas Tree Farm, Arlington

Editor's note: We are awaiting 2024 information from Farmer Brown, but farm life is busy. Check back soon!

With 32 acres and trees up to 14 feet tall, the options at Farmer Brown’s are plentiful! This farm typically opens the day after Thanksgiving and closes once it has sold out of trees. While you’re at the farm, warm your toes near the bonfire, grab a hot drink and enjoy festive Christmas music. Beautiful precut flocked trees are available for purchase as well. Call Farmer Brown himself at 360-659-6686 or check out the Facebook page for updates.

Location: 12017 109th Ave. N.E., Arlington

How to cut a Christmas tree from the national forest

This is a perfect Christmas tradition for adventurous, outdoorsy families, but you do need to be prepared. Here are important tips:

First, you’ll need to obtain a $10 permit to cut within the Mount Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest (which, if you live in the Puget Sound area, is where you’ll be cutting). Each non-refundable permit allows the cutting of one tree (15 feet or under in height with a maximum stump height of 12 inches). You must print and bring your permit with you.

You will need to purchase a Sno-Park parking permit as well if you will be parking in a designated Sno-Park parking lot. You’ll need a Northwest Forest Pass if parking at a designated trailhead.

For most area families, the closest spots will be in North Bend off Interstate 90 or via Forest Service roads off 410 past Enumclaw and Buckley, heading into Greenwater (near Mount Rainier), but there are locations north as well (such as Highway 2 and the Mountain Loop Scenic Byway).

You can get lots more information and maps at the Forest Service site, or when you pick up your permit.

Be sure to cut only in permissible areas. Cutting down a tree from a campground, private land, or within 150 feet of a stream, lake or wetland area, is a big no-no!

Once you’ve decided where to go, follow a few guidelines to make sure your outing stays fun and safe.

Check the weather and road conditions before you go. Note that getting to many areas where you can cut a tree will require driving on unpaved, unplowed roads. Consider going early in the season before there is a lot of snow on the roads. Do bring along a shovel and chains as a precaution, and always tell someone where you are going before heading out on any outdoor excursion. Most of these areas will not have cell coverage.
Dress appropriately. Make sure everyone dresses in layers and appropriately for cold weather.
Bring snacks! Pack a picnic lunch if you’ll be out most of the day.
Be flexible. Keep in mind that you won’t be getting a pruned or shaped tree. Make sure your family is on board with the natural look before you go.
Don’t forget your saw, your printed permit, and rope or twine to secure your tree to the top of your car.

Editor’s note: This article was first published in 2020 and updated most recently in November 2024 by ParentMap’s associate editor Kari Hanson. All information has been fact-checked for the season.