There’s nothing like the scent of a freshly cut Christmas tree, and these five tree farms excel at growing the best and biggest evergreens for your family to enjoy. Better yet, Governor McAuliffe has proclaimed December to be Virginia Christmas Tree Month!
Bring your saw and seek out the perfect tree or select a pre-cut beauty. Many tree farms include hot concessions, which means hot cider or chocolate will warm you after the hunt. For some farms, the liability that comes with you harvesting your own tree is more than they’re willing to take on. In those instances, you’ll find their awesome trees at a roadside lot, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Here’s why …
Award-winning Fraser Firs are grown at Virginia’s highest elevations. Seek out Mount Rogers Christmas Tree Farm from Whitetop, growers of Vice President Joe Biden’s 2013 Christmas tree. Winning Reserve Champion at the National Christmas Tree Growers’ National Christmas Tree Contest equals top-notch clients. Virginia Senator Mark Warner and Governors Tim Kaine and Bob McDonnell have also had the pleasure of a Mount Rogers tree during their terms in office.
This year’s Executive Mansion tree arrived from Rifton Farm and Nursery in Floyd. A 14-year-old Canaan Fir was chosen for Governor and Mrs. McAuliffe. This particular species is noted to have the look of a Fraser, the scent of a Balsam, and soft round needles that make decorating a little more tolerable.
A three-time Virginia Champion tree grower, Reed Island Farm of Hillsville has had the honor of placing a tree in the Virginia Governor’s mansion three times. Their eight-foot Fraser Fir was hand-picked by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture for his office in 2005. If you decide to choose Reed Island for your tree, do visit the Christmas Shop for a handmade ornament to commemorate your trip.
Claybrooke Farm in Mineral held the honor of Champion tree grower in 2014, and thus provided that year’s tree for the Executive Mansion. A visit to Claybrooke brings warm cheer and complimentary hot cider. Do visit their brand new Christmas shop in The Gathering Barn, where you’ll find accessories, ornaments, and more.
The firs, spruces, and pines of Spruce Ridge Tree Farm in Newport are in tidy rows for you to peruse and pluck. Borrow a saw or go the balled-and-burlapped route to plant your tree at home. Trees from this farm have also seen time in the Virginia Governor’s mansion.
Find a Virginia Grown Christmas tree near you with this handy directory from the Virginia Department of Agriculture.
When in Virginia 
Great info.!
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