This Christmas Tree Farm Is Worth Reserving Early in Pennsylvania
Twelve trees. That was the entire first-year sales total back in 1985. Today, this Lancaster County farm sells more than 1,000 trees every season.
The growing starts small. Each spring, two-year-old seedlings go into the ground. Then comes an 8 to 12 year wait before any tree reaches your living room.
That is a lot of patience for a single holiday decoration. Every summer, the owner shears each one by hand for that classic shape.
Here is the twist that matters most. You can claim your tree in October. Tagging opens on October 1st, and it costs nothing. Personally, I love a plan that lets you shop for Christmas while the leaves are still turning.
You’re in for a big surprise if you wait until December in Pennsylvania. The best trees often wear sold tags by then. So what makes this family farm worth an autumn road trip?
Twelve Trees In 1985 Grew Into A Three-Generation Tradition
Every big story needs a humble start, and this one began with leftovers. Back in 1979, Clyde and Alma Hunt planted extra trees from Clyde’s great uncle, a man everyone called Goodie.
Their land sat just outside Millersville, and the first batch included about 1,000 White Pines and Douglas Firs.
Patience was the main ingredient. The couple waited six years before selling a single tree. In 1985, Hunt’s Christmas Trees, LLC sold exactly 12 of them.
That number sounds tiny, but it planted a family habit. Today the farm sells more than 1,000 trees every year. The business passed to Clyde and Alma’s eldest son, Randy, and three generations now keep it running.
I like how personal that history feels. You are not buying from a giant lot in a parking garage. You are buying from a family that has watched these fields change for more than four decades.
The farm also belongs to the Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Growers Association. That membership connects it to a wider community of growers across the state.
For anyone who loves gardening, this place proves that a few spare seedlings and a lot of stubborn patience can turn into something lasting.
Grab Your Tag In October And Thank Yourself In December
October 1st is the date to circle on your calendar. That is when pre-tagging season opens at Hunt’s Christmas Trees, LLC. You can wander the fields during daylight hours and reserve the exact tree you want.
The process is simple. A tag booth sits right next to the parking lot. You grab a tag, find your favorite tree, and mark it as yours.
Best of all, pre-tagging is free. There is no admission fee, and parking costs nothing either. That makes a fall visit an easy, low-pressure outing.
Why the rush? The farm has openly shared that its fields get light on available trees by late season because so many shoppers tag early. Some reviewers have also noted that showing up last minute can mean slim pickings.
One rule deserves your full attention. Cutting an unmarked tree is not allowed, and it comes with a $300 fine. Some untagged trees are being saved for future seasons, so they need more growing time.
You need to treat this like booking a campsite for a holiday weekend. An early trip in Pennsylvania’s crisp fall air beats hunting for scraps in December. Your future self will be very smug about it.
Six Kinds Of Evergreens Are Fighting For Your Living Room
Choosing a tree here is a little like choosing ice cream. The menu is generous, and everyone in the family will have an opinion.
Hunt’s Christmas Trees grows and sells Douglas Fir, Concolor Fir, Fraser Fir, Korean Fir, Turkish Fir, and White Pine.
Fraser Firs rank as a popular pick. You can find them in the pre-cut selection, which helps if your heart is set on one. One past visitor even praised how their Fraser Fir’s size and color suited a bay window.
White Pine has deep roots on this property. It was part of the very first planting back in 1979, along with Douglas Fir. So choosing one connects you to the farm’s earliest days.
Know what you will not find before you go. The farm does not sell Blue Spruce trees. Live potted trees were offered in the past, but they are no longer available.
Some trees reach heights of up to 12 feet. That matters if you have tall ceilings and big dreams.
Measure your space before you leave home, because falling in love with a giant is easy in an open field. Gardeners will enjoy comparing needles, shapes, and colors side by side.
Somebody Hand-Shears Every Single Tree Each Summer
That perfect cone shape does not happen by accident. Randy Hunt shears each tree on the farm during the summer. The goal is a classic, symmetrical look that fits neatly in a corner and holds ornaments well.
Now think about the numbers. The farm spans 7 acres and grows roughly 7,000 trees. That is a lot of trimming under a warm Pennsylvania sun.
The work starts long before shearing season. Each spring, the family plants hand-selected two-year-old seedlings from premier nurseries. Then each tree spends 8 to 12 years growing before it is ready for someone’s home.
Care continues all year. The farm follows health practices to protect its crops from pests and disease. It also works on soil nutrition, which any vegetable gardener will recognize as half the battle.
Gardeners can learn a lot from this approach. Regular shaping, healthy soil, and patience pay off in a big way. It is the same thinking behind pruning a shrub or training a fruit tree, just stretched across a decade.
Next time you admire a tidy branch on your holiday tree, remember the summer afternoons behind it. That little detail earns some respect.
Not Up For Sawing? The Indoor Forest Has Your Back
Cut-your-own sounds romantic until it is cold, windy, and your arms are tired. Thankfully, Hunt’s Christmas Trees, LLC offers a backup plan called the Indoor Forest. It is a wide selection of fresh pre-cut trees you can browse without hiking the hills.
This area is also handicap accessible. The fields are a working farm with uneven ground and stumps, so the indoor option helps many guests. If you need field access, the farm asks that you call ahead so staff can try to help.
Prefer the field anyway? The farm provides hand saws for free. You can haul your tree on a sled, or staff can lend a hand.
The free services keep going after the cutting. Staff help with cutting and loading, plus debris and needle removal. They also drill the trunk and wrap the tree for the trip home.
That processing step matters. The farm removes leaves, debris, and possible nests before trees leave the property. Real trees are living things, so this cleanup is a smart touch.
Either way, you leave with a tree and your dignity intact. No one has to wrestle a fir onto a car roof alone.
Weekends Come With Wagon Rides And S’mores
Marshmallows and evergreen air make a pretty great combination. On weekends, weather permitting, the farm lights a campfire for guests. You can warm your hands and roast s’mores between tree hunts.
Wagon rides join the fun too. They run on Black Friday and on weekends when the weather cooperates. Riding through the fields gives you a wider view of the rolling hills and rows of trees.
Kids get their own moments of magic. Past visitors have mentioned a Letters to Santa mailbox on the property. It is a sweet extra for little ones who have big wish lists.
Food trucks often show up once the main season opens. The farm is finalizing its lineup for the 2026 season. Past guests have enjoyed hot drinks and treats like mini doughnuts, so pack an appetite.
Four-legged family members are welcome as well. The farm describes itself as pet-friendly, along with being kid-friendly and family-friendly. Your dog may enjoy sniffing the trees more than anyone.
I can’t imagine a cozier way to spend a December Saturday. The tree almost becomes a bonus. Just remember that the fire and wagon depend on the weather, so check conditions before heading out.
Your Old Tree Gets A Second Job After The Holidays
Recycling a Christmas tree usually means dragging it to the curb and hoping for the best. Hunt’s Christmas Trees has a better idea. The farm accepts trees for free recycling from Christmas until March 1st.
Here is where gardeners will grin. The recycled trees are shredded and composted. That compost is spread over the farm’s new tree fields before fresh seedlings go into the ground.
It is a neat loop. Last year’s holiday centerpiece helps feed the soil for future trees. The farm calls it a purposeful second life, and that phrase fits.
Tree farms like this one also offer environmental perks. Growing trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. The groves give local wildlife shelter and help prevent soil erosion.
The farm shares practical care tips too. Keep your tree stand full of plain water. Skip tiny coffee cup stands and commercial additives, which the farm says can hurt moisture retention.
That advice is simple, and it works with how trees drink. A big stand means fewer refills and fewer crunchy needles on the floor. For a Pennsylvania gardener who loves compost, this whole system is pretty satisfying to know about.
Lancaster County Back Roads Lead You Right To The Fields
Getting there is half the charm. You will find the farm at 465 Stehman Church Road, Millersville, PA 17551. It sits in Lancaster County, central to Millersville, Lancaster, Columbia, and Conestoga.
The setting features 7 acres of rolling hills. One longtime visitor described it as nestled in the hills of southern Lancaster County. The farm says its charm draws visitors from New York, Maryland, and New Jersey.
Timing your trip takes a little planning. The main sales season opens the Saturday before Thanksgiving, which is November 21st in 2026. It runs through December 21st or until trees run out.
Hours are specific, so jot them down. Monday and Friday run from Noon to 5 PM, Saturday from 8 AM to 5 PM, and Sunday from Noon to 5 PM. The farm is closed Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
Holiday week has its own schedule. The farm closes on Thanksgiving Day. Black Friday hours run from 8 AM to 5 PM, a fun option for anyone skipping the mall.
Wear sturdy shoes for the fields. Call 717-330-8102 with questions, especially about accessibility. That quick call can save you a wasted Pennsylvania road trip.
Wreaths, Ornaments, And Photo Spots Stretch The Fun Further
Fresh greens are not just for the living room. The farm offers Wreath Decorating Workshops for a fee. You get to craft your own wreath using greens from the farm, plus ribbons and decorative accents.
For gardeners, this is a hands-on treat. Working with real branches teaches you how different greens look, feel, and hold their shape. The result hangs on your door and smells like the fields you just visited.
The gift shop deserves a stop too. Every tree purchase comes with a complimentary holiday ornament, while supplies last. The shop also sells seasonal trinkets and Hunt’s merchandise.
Bring your camera, or at least a charged phone. Dedicated photo spots are set up around the farm for holiday memories. Many families make a full activity of it, beyond just grabbing a tree.
Photographers can book sessions here throughout the year. Booking details live on the farm’s website. That year-round option shows how scenic these hills are, even outside December.
Hunt’s Christmas Trees, LLC clearly wants a visit to feel like a full outing. Between wreaths, ornaments, and pictures, you might leave with more than you planned. Your mantel will not complain.
