Plantation Pines Christmas Tree Farms on Monday September 19, 2022. (Michael Cavazos/ETX View Photo)

East Texas had a hot, dry summer, but the Christmas trees for sale this year at Plantation Pines, between Lindale and Tyler, are still “great.”

Owners Heather and Burren Reed took the farm over from her parents seven seasons ago. Heather Burren said the farm is four years out on its tree rotation, planting trees each January.

“The hardest hit were the baby trees,” Heather Reed said. “Our established trees, the ones that are ready for this year, are perfectly fine.”

This year’s planting took the biggest hit from the weather, she said.

“We’ll have to replant trees that we lost this year,” Heather said.

East Texas is home to a handful of Christmas Tree farms in the Tyler and Longview area.

Danville Farms near Kilgore has been open since 1982. James Robinson, who owns the farm with his wife, Mary, was out on a tractor Wednesday for their opening day, driving people around as they looked for their perfect tree.

Area Christmas tree farms offer more than just choose-and-cut Christmas trees. They offer family experiences, which, depending on each farm, could include hay rides, gift shops that sell wreaths and local products and places to pet other farm animals.

Trees tend to go fast, so tree shoppers should check farms’ Facebook pages and websites or call ahead to make sure trees are still available.

The National Christmas Tree Association says a 2022 survey says almost 31% of people buying farm-grown trees purchase them directly from a choose-and-cut farm, versus chain stores, nurseries and retail lots.

Heather Reed said Plantation Pines, at 10098 CR 429, Tyler, knows people will be able to cut a tree down from the field there through this weekend. That’s usually not possible on the second weekend,

Plantation Pines will be open to sell precut trees 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m. weekdays until all the trees are sold out.

The farm, like Danville, grows Virginia Pines. Plantation Pines also brings Fraser firs in from elsewhere to sell, as some other farms do as well.

Heather said people have asked her if her family already has their tree up.

The answer is no, although their other Christmas decorations are.

They don’t take the best tree in the field, she said, but save the best trees for their customers.

“We take ones that need a little bit of extra love, and we save all the perfect ones for everyone else,” she said.

“At Plantation Pines, our goal, and our focus is we just love families coming out, creating traditions, creating memories together and just kind of slowing down this busy time of year,” Heather said.

Danville Farms

Hours: 9 a.m.-about 5:30 p.m./dark Friday and Saturday, and 1-5:30 p.m. Sunday (The farm expects to be sold out after that, so call first to check)

Address: 2000 Danville Road, Kilgore

Information: (903) 520-8929, danvillefarms.org or Facebook at www.facebook.com/danvillefarms

Plantation Pines Christmas Tree Farm

Hours: Opening day 1-5:30 p.m. on Thanksgiving; 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Black Friday; 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturday and 1-5:30 p.m. Sunday. Pre-cut trees only are sold 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, and no hayrides are offered on weeknights.

Address: 10098 CR 429, Tyler

Information: (903) 253-3143, plantationpinesfarms.com or on Facebook

Merket Christmas Tree Farm

Hours: Opening Thanksgiving Day noon-6 p.m.; 3-6 p.m. Monday-Thursday; and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday

Address: 785 FM 1794W, Beckville

Information: (903) 678-2359, texaschristmastrees.net/merketfarm.htm or on Facebook

C and C Christmas Tree Farm

Hours: Opens 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 24; 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday; and 9 a.m.-5 p.m.. Saturday and Sunday; through Dec. 10. 

Address: 18375 CR 4108, Lindale

Information: (903) 520-2677 or on Facebook

Dadda G’S Christmas Trees

Hours: 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Nov. 24; 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturday; and 1 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Sundays; season ends when sold out

Address: 15716 U.S. U.S. 259 S, Mount Enterprise

Information: (903) 822-3811; www.texaschristmastrees.net/dadda.htm and on Facebook

Panola Orchard & Gardens

Hours: 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Nov. 24; 3:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Thursday; and 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Friday-Sunday

Address: 1413 FM 1186, DeBerry

Information: (903) 766-2440, panolaorchard.com and on Facebook