Where, when and how to pick your own Christmas tree

For many, the tradition of getting together to pick out a Christmas tree symbolizes the official start of the exciting and magical holiday season. Where, when and how: Here are our tips and recommended locations for a successful choose-and-cut experience! 

An old-time tradition that continues to bring families together

Québec’s holiday season wouldn’t be complete without this centrepiece, which fills homes with wonder and the gentle scent of the forest. And this dates back a long way! According to National Geographic, the first evergreen decorations for pagan winter solstice celebrations can be traced back to ancient times.

This custom, which emphasized life and light, is still very much alive in homes here (and elsewhere!), whether it has become religious or not. To enjoy this tradition to the full among friends and family, take the time to get back to basics, working with your hands to choose, cut and bring home the perfect tree to light up the house on those beautiful December days.

Where to go to pick your own tree

Decorative fir trees are mainly produced in the Eastern Townships and Chaudière-Appalaches regions, but these aren’t the only locations for this activity. Among the long list of tree farms open to the public, here are a few to visit when the first snowflakes appear:

Eastern Townships

• Plantation des Frontières, in Saint-Armand
• Plantation Robert E. Enos, in Saint-Ignace-de-Stanbridge
• Plantations Stephan Perreault, in Val-Joli
• Downey Tree Farm, in Cookshire-Eaton 

Centre-du Québec 

• Plantation Gaétan Lefebvre, in L’Avenir 

Chaudière-Appalaches

• Bôsapin autocueillette (French only), in Saint-Jean-Chrysostome
• Vergers Gaudreau, in Cap-Saint-Ignace 

Laurentides 

• Arbres de Noël Hadley, in Lachute 

Mauricie 

• Sapinière de la Mauricie (French only), in Trois-Rivières

Montérégie 

• La Ferme Quinn, in Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot 

City of Québec and Area

• Ferme la Rafale SNC, in Saint-Pierre-de-l’Île-d’Orléans
• Sapin d’Antan, in l’Ange-Gardien

Which type to choose

Different types of fir trees can add a warm decorative touch to our homes. According to the Association des producteurs d’arbres de Noël du Québec (APANQ), the two most widely grown types are:

• Balsam fir, chosen for its mild scent, its beautiful dark green colour and the composition of its branches with their brush-like needles;
• Fraser fir, valued for its blue-green colour, its needles that remain on the branches longer and its beautiful shape.

Sometimes, tree farms also have the Cook and Canaan varieties of Balsam fir. Cook firs have a beautiful bluish hue, while Canaan firs boast a lovely blend of Balsam and Fraser traits.

When to plan this winter activity

You can choose and cut your own decorative tree generally from late November to December. We recommend contacting the companies to confirm their exact schedule or to book your visit.

How to prepare

For your first choose-and-cut experience, here are a few recommendations before setting out.

1. Measure your room height in advance

Decide how tall a tree you’d like to have. Measure the height of your room and keep in mind that there should be about a 30-cm (1-foot) space between the top of the tree, after it’s been placed in a stand, and the ceiling.

2. Bring your own equipment

Take the time to check what equipment is provided by the company you plan to visit. If in doubt, be sure to take rope, a good pair of work gloves and a wood saw. If you’re planning to tie your tree to the roof of your car, bring along a blanket or tarp to protect the top of the car, and don’t skimp on tie-down straps—you don’t want your tree taking flight!

3. Keep your eye on the weather

November and December are unpredictable when it comes to the weather... Check if the forecast calls for an umbrella or a few layers of warm clothing.

4. Share this experience in good company

Invite family and friends to join you in this magical tradition! You’ll create happy memories together, plus you’ll have an extra set of hands to help cut the tree.

How to look after your Christmas tree

Now that you’ve chosen and cut your natural Christmas tree, here are five tips to keep it going as long as possible.

1️⃣ If you’re not ready to put it up as soon as you get home, keep it in a cool, dry place (such as the garage).

2️⃣ If you set up your tree indoors within four hours of cutting it down, re-cut the trunk (1 to 2 cm), keeping the bark intact, so that it can absorb water better.

3️⃣ To prevent your work of art from falling over, choose a stable stand whose diameter can accommodate the tree trunk and whose reservoir can hold up to four litres of water.

4️⃣ Check the amount of water in the reservoir daily. The day you set it up, your new ‘roommate’ may drink up to four litres. After that, it will consume about one litre a day.

5️⃣ Place the tree away from heat sources and avoid overloading it with decorations so that it preserves its beauty as long as possible.

🎄 Bonus tip: When the time comes to dispose of your tree—after about four to six weeks—feel free to turn it into a craft project to give it a second life. This way, it can continue to provide a lovely, comforting ambiance in the house for months to come.