Homes: Choose and cut your own Christmas tree

Choose and cut your own Christmas tree

By Times staff writer

Here is our annual list of where to choose and cut your own Christmas tree at tree farms in the Tampa Bay area.

Nationally, 33-million American families will celebrate the holidays with a real tree, the National Christmas Tree Association estimates. Ninety-eight percent of those trees are grown on farms.

A few tips before you head out:

Wear comfortable clothes and sturdy shoes. The tree farms may be on uneven, stumpy ground.

Most farms will provide saws for cutting down your tree. Some will cut the tree for you and will shake the tree to knock out dead needles, then bale it in plastic netting for easy transport. Bring rope to tie it to the top of your car.

Call ahead to check hours, make sure the farm is open, and get directions. Most of the farms will end their sales for the season on Dec. 23, and if business is brisk they may sell out sooner.

Carr's Tree Farm, 5275 S Chestnut Terrace, Lecanto, Citrus County. Phone (352) 628-2168. Open 1 to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Sand pine. "This is probably our last year," said owner Roy Carr. "The work is just getting too hard, and we haven't planted more trees."

Ergle Christmas Tree Farm, U.S. 301, Dade City, Hernando County, just north of the Pasco line. Phone (352) 583-3647. Open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. From State Road 50 turn south onto U.S. 301 and travel 1.5 miles; farm is on the right. Sand pine, red cedar, leyland cypress; potted trees; Fraser and Douglas firs, scotch pine, blue spruce brought in from out of state. Farm animals for the kids; wreaths, garlands and Christmas cactus, cold drinks for sale.

Lazy Lay Acres, 14920 Swift Road, Dade City, Pasco County. Phone (352) 567-6808. Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily for cutting and tagging. Take I-75 to Exit 59, turn right on State Road 52 to the caution light, turn left to the Y, right to the sign, follow road to next sign. Sand pine, red cedar, leyland cypress; also cut northern trees: Fraser and douglas firs. Wreaths, crafts shop, farm animals for the kids to pet and play with.

Dee's Trees, 911 S Taylor Road, Seffner. Phone (813) 685-8035. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Red cedar, sand pine, Leyland cypress. No cut Northern trees, no containerized trees. Farm tours weekdays.

Trees "R" Nice Christmas Tree Farm, 16823 Owens Road, Wimauma. Phone (813) 633-2710. Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, closed Sunday. Sand pine, Leyland cypress. No potted trees, no cut Northern trees.