Summary
For many families, celebrating the holiday season means finding the perfect real Christmas tree. While there are numerous places to acquire a tree, some are eager to visit “choose and cut your own” farms for a more personalized experience. Although there aren’t any “cut your own” farms directly within Charlotte city limits, there are several nearby options that make the trip worthwhile.
The following list includes the closest Christmas tree farms to Charlotte. Distances and travel times are provided from the center of Charlotte. Note that travel times may vary based on your starting point within the city, but all listed farms are generally under an hour away.
It’s important to keep in mind that hours may change, and not all farms may be open every year. Therefore, it is advisable to call ahead to confirm operational hours and directions, as GPS systems may not always be reliable in these areas. If you have any updates or corrections, please reach out via email.
Gaston County
Stowe Dairy Farms
169 Stowe Dairy Road, Gastonia
704-228-9826
Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday. Closed Sunday.
Distance from center city Charlotte: 30 miles/45 minutes
Stowe Dairy Farms offers Leyland cypress, red cedar, Carolina sapphire, and white pine trees available for cutting. Additionally, Fraser firs from the mountains of western North Carolina and mixed green wreaths are also for sale. Prices for choose and cut trees range from $25 to $30, while Fraser firs go for about $40 to $60. The farm features various other activities and products from the region. Visit their website for additional information.
York County, SC
Penland Christmas Tree Farm
6457 Campbell Road, York, SC
803-366-7605
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays and Saturdays, 1 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday
Distance from center city Charlotte: 30 miles/40 minutes
Penland offers Virginia pine, white pine, Carolina sapphire, red cedar, and Leyland cypress, as well as pre-cut Fraser firs. Visitors can enjoy hayrides, wreaths, a gift shop, and hot chocolate on their visit.
Catawba County
Santa’s Forest
4071 Herter Road, Lincolnton
828-428-3774
Hours: 9 a.m. to dark Saturday, Noon to dark Sunday to Friday
Distance from center city Charlotte: 50 miles/50 minutes
Santa’s Forest provides Leyland cypress, Carolina sapphire, and Fraser firs. The farm features additional activities like a zip line, farm animals, hayrides, and nature trails. In prior years, all trees were priced at approximately $40 and included several over 12 feet tall!
Stanly County
Grovestone Christmas Tree Farm
48051 Clodfelter Road, Albemarle
704-983-1685
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday until Dec. 24.
Distance from center city Charlotte: 45 miles/one hour
Available trees include Virginia pines and Leyland cypress, with prices ranging from about $25.
Lancaster County, SC
Pa-Pa John’s Christmas Tree Farm
6980 Flat Creek Road, Kershaw, SC
803-475-9247
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday
Distance from center city Charlotte: 55 miles/1 hour and 10 minutes
Pa-Pa John’s offers an array of tree options, including Virginia pine, white pine, Carolina sapphire, Leyland cypress, Eastern Red Cedar, and Blue Ice, along with pre-cut Fraser Fir.
Lincoln County
Helms Tree Farm
6345 Christmas Tree Lane, Vale
704-276-1835
Hours: 9 a.m. to dark, Thanksgiving through Dec. 20
Distance from center city Charlotte: 45 miles/one hour
Helms Tree Farm has available white pine, red cedar, Leyland cypress, Carolina sapphire, and both white and Colorado blue spruce trees. They also feature pre-cut Fraser fir. The farm offers covered-wagon rides, wreaths, and a retail shop for additional holiday shopping.
Chester County, SC
Taylor’s Christmas Tree Farm
1129 Windy Rd, Gilbert, SC 29054 and 1406 Priceville Road, Gilbert SC 29054
803-581-3507
Nov. 22 to Dec. 24
Hours: 3 p.m. to dark on weekdays, 10 a.m. to dark on Saturday, 1 p.m. to dark on Sunday
Distance from center city Charlotte: 40 miles/50 minutes
Taylor’s Farm operates two locations offering Virginia and white pines, Leyland cypress, Clemson green spire, Carolina sapphire, and pre-cut Fraser firs, along with wreaths and assorted greenery for the season.