Best Christmas Tree Farms Near St. Louis And Others You Can Visit

ST. LOUIS, MO — You might be a fan of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” — and who isn’t? — but let’s be honest: You probably don’t want anything remotely close to his struggling tree. You’d never hear the end of it at Christmas dinner. So if you’re in the market for a real tree, consider heading to one of the many great tree farms near St. Louis or across Missouri.

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If you can swing it, Fort Osage Farm White Pine Lodge in Independence, Missouri, was recently named the single best Christmas tree farm in the state by the folks over at Good Housekeeping.

The magazine highlighted tree farms that offered more than just great pines. Many allow kids — or, you know, adults — to chat with Santa Claus. Others featured petting zoos, hayrides, face painting exhibits and seasonal treats. One even has its own fudge kitchen where customers can chow down on tasty candy canes and eggnog fudge as they select the perfect tree.

Here’s what Good Housekeeping had to say about our best tree farm:

We're big fans of what comes with each purchase of a tree at Fort Osage Farm White Pine Lodge. Candy canes, coloring books, hot spiced tea and cocoa are all part of the deal ... and they'll provide the essentials for your tree-cutting experience.

If that doesn’t suit your fancy, here are some other great (and closer) options you can try, courtesy of the National Christmas Tree Association. The map allows you to filter the results as follows: "choose and cut tree farms," "pre-cut trees," "gift shops," "hayrides and sleigh rides," "petting zoos," "santa visits" and school tours." You can even click on the icon to see more information about a specific tree farm.

Here are few of the best near St. Louis:

• Sullivan Farms Christmas Trees
• Paris Christmas Trees
• Country Pines
• Brushy Fork Pines
• Heritage Valley Tree Farm
• Meert Tree Farm
• Pea Ridge Forest Christmas

Once you’ve found the perfect place, don’t forget you still have to find the perfect tree. The tree association has several recommendations for just that, starting with measuring your space. You don’t want a tree that’s too tall — or wide — for your room. That means you need to know what size tree to get before you get to the lot. Measure your ceiling height and remember that a 10-foot-tall tree will typically be about 8 feet wide at the bottom.

Other tips to consider:

• Make sure your tree is suitable for your decorations. Heavier decorations require sturdier branches. Some varieties of trees have more open foliage, stiffer branches or longer needles.
• Make sure the tree farm is well lighted and stores trees in a shady area.
• Ask about the trees. The more you know, the better your decision will be. Possible questions include: When are the trees delivered? Do they come all at once at the beginning of the season or in several shipments during the season? Which tree type performs best in your area and climate?
• Test the branches and needles for freshness. The tree association recommends running a branch through your enclosed hand. If the needles easily come off, consider avoiding the tree. You should also bend the outer branches. If they’re not pliable, also consider avoiding that tree. And if the branches are brittle or snap easily, the tree is probably too dry.
• Look for other indicators of dryness or deterioration. This could result in an excessive amount of needle loss, discoloration, musty smell, needle pliability or wrinkled bark.
• Trust your gut. If no tree looks fresh, head elsewhere.
• Pricing will vary from farm to farm. Some tree farms measure and price their trees individually while others sell them by the foot. Ask about the price before you get there so you’re not in for an unwelcome surprise when it’s time to pay.

Patch national staffer Dan Hampton contributed to this report.

Photo by Keith Srakocic/Associated Press