Cut Your Own Christmas Tree in Apple Hill, California

While Apple Hill, just northeast of Placerville, California, is primarily known for all things apple, it is also a beautiful destination to pick and chop your own Christmas tree.

Currently, seven full-scale tree farms with u-cut trees are open in Apple Hill during the Christmas season for families to visit and cut their own Christmas trees. Several smaller farms are open, too. A wide selection of tree varieties are available for purchase. Some of the most popular trees available for purchase include: White Fir, Douglas Fir, Silvertip, Noble Fir, Fraser Fir, Blue Spruce, and more.

Many of the Christmas tree farms have a picnic area for customer use. Meals can be purchased at some of the nearby year-round fruit stands or in the nearby town of Placerville.

Round out your Christmas tree cutting adventure with a visit to one of Apple Hill's six wineries, the Jack Russel Brewery, or a year round fruit stand. Or just take a drive through the meandering roads of Apple Hill and enjoy the picturesque views of family farms carved out of a beautiful natural setting. A listing of all of Apple Hill's attractions is available at their website, www.applehill.com.

Most of Apple Hill's Christmas tree farms are open for business on the Friday after Thanksgiving, though a one or two generally open a week before Thanksgiving. Check the Apple Hill website before going for updated hours of operation.

Some of the most popular Christmas Tree Farms currently operating in Apple Hill include:

Harris Tree Farm

One of the original Christmas tree farms in El Dorado County.

2640 Blair Road
Pollock Pines, CA
(530) 644-2194

http://www.applehill.com/site/archive/harris.html
Season: July - December
2010Hours: Daily 9am - 4:30pm

High Sierra Iris Gardens

A selection of Christmas wreaths made out of fresh materials is also available.

3710 Hassler Road
Camino, CA
(530) 642-1222

http://www.weddingsnflowers.com/christmas_trees.htm
Season: May 1 - December 19

2010 Hours: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 9am to dark

Hillside Tree Farm

In addition to trees, Hillside Tree Farm also offers train and pony rides, weather permitting. Mistletoe and Christmas wreaths are available for purchase.

2881 North Canyon Road
Camino, CA

http://www.hillsidetreefarm.com/
Season: November 23 - until sold out
2010 Hours: Daily 9:30am - 4:30pm

McGee Christmas Tree Farm

3131 Carson Road
Placerville, CA
(530) 644-4731

http://mcgeechristmastreefarm.com/
Season: Open Daily Starting Friday after Thanksgiving
2010 Hours: Monday - Friday 10:00am - 4:00pm, Weekends 8:00am to dark

Rapetti Farms

2585 Fruitridge Road
Camino, CA
(530) 622-7229
Season: Daily November 23 until sold out
2010 Hours: Daily 9:30am - 4:30pm

Roberts Christmas Tree Farm

5645 Gilmore Road
Pollock Pines, CA
-and-

2561 Mace Road
Camino, CA

(530) 644-2831

Season: Day after Thanksgiving until Christmas Eve.
2010 Hours: Daily 9:30am - 4:30pm

For updated hours, please visit the Apple Hill website at http://www.applehill.com/site/growers.html#xmas0.