Want to enjoy the tradition of cutting your own Christmas tree? These are some of the best Christmas tree farms near Asheville where you can buy a live tree grown in the western North Carolina mountains.
Keep in mind, Choose and Cut doesn’t mean YOU have to cut it! Most of the farms will cut your tree down for you, bale it and load it on your vehicle. If you desire to have the old-fashioned experience of cutting it yourself, you can.
You do need to visit a commercial tree farm to get your Christmas tree, as there are no Christmas Tree Cutting Permits at National Forests in the area.
Three of these tree farms are all located off of the same road in Waynesville and are within 1.5 miles of each other. The area is at the base of the Great Smoky Mountains and near Maggie Valley and Lake Junaluska, which is also a great skiing area. Boyd Mountain, Smoky Mountain and Mehaffey are all in the same area.
Boyd Mountain Christmas Tree Farm
This large, 100-year old farm has hillsides covered with Frasier Fir trees as far as you can see. Roam Boyd Mountain Christmas Tree Farm looking for your perfect tree, and then wave over a staff member to cut it for you, bale it and load it on your car for free.
If you want to do the cutting, there are plenty of hand saws available to use.
There is so much more to this choose and cut farm than just getting your tree. Lots of wreaths, swags, pine roping, tree stands and souvenir gifts are available for purchase.
The Harvest Moon Crepes Food Truck, serves up hot chocolate and coffee, along with sweet or savory crepes. Donuts are available, too.
Photo ops are set up near the main tent, and Santa does come on the weekends.
Plenty of parking is available and directed by on-site staff keeping the traffic flowing.
Stay in a log cabin at the farm for the ultimate Christmas tree experience!
Import Update: We visited Boyd’s this year (2022) to cut our own tree. We were surprised at how steep the hillside was were the trees were located. It was like climbing a mountain LOL! I’m glad I wore hiking boots, as I saw a grown man face plant on the hillside trying to climb up, while another lady was struggling in her fancy boots. Pre-cut trees are located on a flat part of the farm by the registers.
Boyd’s opened on November 19 for the 2022 Christmas tree season.
Their limited operating hours are:
- November 19-20, 2022 (Saturday and Sunday): 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- November 25 – 27, 2022 (Friday, Saturday and Sunday): 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
They will be closed on Thanksgiving 2022.
- Pet Friendly: Yes (dogs on leash)
- Wreaths and Accessories for Sale: Yes
- Food and Drink: Yes (for purchase)
- Santa Visits: Yes
- Restrooms: Yes (Portable-Pottties)
- Credit Cards: Yes
- Checks: No
Contact Info
445 Boyd Farm Road
Waynesville, NC 28785
(828) 926-8888
Smoky Mountain Tree Farm
We love this smaller choose and cut farm with the iconic red barn. It makes for great photo ops while choosing your live trees!
Smoky Mountain Tree Farm is family owned. In fact, you’ll probably be talking with the owner and striking up a conversation as your tree is baled and loaded for you.
Cabins surrounded by Christmas trees are available to rent all year round.
- Pet Friendly: Yes
- Wreaths and Accessories for Sale: Yes
- Food and Drink: No
- Santa Visits: No
Contact Info
756 Hemphill Road
Waynesville, NC 28785
(828) 400-2933
Mehaffey Tree Farm
A favorite in Waynesville, Mehaffey Tree Farm sells Frasier Fir trees in 6-10 feet sizes. The family-owned and operated farm has been in Haywood County since 1984.
We love the long-range mountain views in the backdrop!
Mehaffey’s definitely isn’t a fancy operation, it is basically fields with Christmas trees and a small building for paying. However, during our visit in 2022, we found that Mehaffey’s had the best-looking trees of the farms that we visited.
And the prices were just a little bit better, too!
This tree farm is relatively level, so if mobility is a challenge for you, then you might like the level areas.
Mehaffey actually lists Choose and Cut Prices on their website. It can change at any moment, but in November 2022 the prices are:
- 6-7 foot tree is $110
- 7-8 foot tree is $155
- 8-9 foot tree is $200
- 9-10 foot tree is $250
Mehaffey Tree Farm opened on November 19 for the 2022 Christmas tree season. Their operating hours are:
- November 19-20: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- November 24-27 (including Thanksgiving Day): 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- December 1-4: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- December 10-11: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Parking was limited when we went, but there wasn’t a problem with getting a parking spot.
- Pet Friendly: Yes (dogs on leash)
- Food and Drink: Hot Cider and Hot Chocolate
- Santa Visits: No
- Restrooms: Yes
- Credit Cards: Yes
- Checks: No
Contact Info
24 Corner Drive
Waynesville, NC 28785
(828) 476-8505
Ziegler Christmas Tree Farm (aka High Valley Christmas Tree Farm)
*As of 2023, this family-owned farm is expected to be closed for several years.
Located within Pisgah National Forest, this family-owned tree farm has been supplying Frasier Fir Christmas trees for more than 30 years. You will need to drive down a gravel, single-lane road to get there, but fans of the farm say it’s worth it!
Charles and Janette Ziegler founded the farm that is now carried on by their children and grandchildren.
In addition to trees, you can find wreaths for sale, as well as apple cider made from organic apples grown on the farm. There are also farm animals to see during a visit.
They expect to sell out their limited inventory of trees in two weeks, so be sure to check their Facebook page for updates.
If using GPS, do not follow directions that take you on Hwy. 276 as it is closed in 2022. Use Hwy. 64 or Hwy. 215 to get to the farm.
Ziegler has announced that they will close in 2023 for at least 3 years because inventory was not up to their standards.
2022 Prices:
First price listed is cut; second price listed is baled.
- 6’-7’: $52 $54
- 7’-8’: $60 $62
- 8’-9’: $76 $78
- 9’-10’: $90 $92
- 10’-11’: $110 $113
- 11’-12’: $138 $143
- 12’-13’: $190 $195
- 13’-14’: $245 $250
- 14’ and taller = $18 per foot
- 12” Wreaths $20
- 24” Wreaths $48
- 36” Wreaths $72
- 48” Wreaths $90
Contact Info
1141 Ziegler Road
Brevard, NC 28712
(828) 884-2581
Elk River Evergreens
Two farms are available near the NC/TN border from Elk River Evergreens Tree Farm. The Avery County location is higher in elevation than other western NC farms, so you might have colder weather and a greater chance of snow! The family-owned and operated farm started in 1975 and now has more than 400,000 trees growing on 12 different farms in the area.
A unique Choose Now-Cut Later option allows you to pick out your tree in October and early November. Then around Thanksgiving, you can cut your tree and bring it home.
Complimentary hot chocolate, apple cider and popcorn are available while shopping and playing games. A tree farm photo booth is also available.
The farm will fit your tree stand to your tree if you bring it with you.
The holiday gift shop has wreaths, bows and roping. It is festively decorated and looks a little like Santa’s workshop!
Banner Elk offers a Choose and Cut Christmas Tree Package with Elk River Evergreens, combining one night’s lodging, breakfast, discounted dining and a voucher for a 7-foot tree. Prices start at $160.
Elk River also lists Christmas tree prices online, according to size. In November 2022 a 6-7 foot tree was $80. A 7-8 foot tree was $95.
- Pet Friendly: Yes (dogs on leash)
- Wreaths and Accessories for Sale: Yes
- Food and Drink: Yes
- Santa Visits: No
- Restrooms: Yes
- Credit Cards: Yes
- Checks: Yes
Contact Info
121 Brooks Shell Road
Elk Park, NC 28622
(828) 387-7695
Cartner’s Christmas Tree Farm
This family-owned and operated farm has been growing trees since 1959. Cartner’s hand prunes the trees for the best decorating.
Cartner’s Christmas Tree Farm Hours are:
- November 19-20, 2022: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- November 24-27, 2022: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- December 3-4, 2022: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cartner’s Christmas Tree Farm lists Christmas tree prices online, according to size. In November 2022 a 6-7 foot tree was $80. An 8-9 foot tree was $130.
- Wreaths and Accessories for Sale: Yes
- Food and Drink: Yes
Contact Info
One Balsam Drive-Mt. Glen
Newland, NC 28657
(828) 733-1641
More Christmas Tree Farms
Camps Evergreens / Camp Tree Farm
301 Cabin Creek Rd, Zirconia, NC
828-674-2558
Norway Spruce
Nesbitt Christmas Tree Farm – CLOSED FOR THE 2022 SEASON
333 Sunset Ridge, Clyde, NC
828-456-9914
Fraser Fir, wreaths, table arrangements, & kissing balls
Reeves Tree Farm
9507 NC Hwy. 63, Leicester, NC
828-779-0115
Fraser Firs
Sandy Hollar Tree Farm
63 Sandy Hollar Lane, Leicester, NC
828-683-3645
Fraser Firs, wreaths, & garland
Where to Buy Live Trees and Fresh Greenery
Located closer to town without a drive, these are some festive places to buy live trees.
Hendersonville Area
Christmas Tree Lot
Fresh Market parking lot at intersection of Spartanburg & Greenville Highways
Cut Fir trees and wreaths
Raymond’s Garden Center
1320 Kanuga Road
Hendersonville, NC
(828) 696-8000
A Choose Now, Pick Up later option allows you to get the tree you’d like and bring it home after Thanksgiving.
Local delivery is available.
Henderson County Curb Market
221 N. Church St.
Hendersonville, NC
828-692-8012
Christmas wreaths, fresh greenery (made to order wreaths and swags)
Packa’s Place
4210 Brevard Rd, Horse Shoe, NC
623-221-3164
Christmas trees & wreaths
Asheville Area
Western NC Farmer’s Market
570 Brevard Rd., Asheville, NC
828-253-1691
Cut & balled Christmas trees, wreaths, greenery
North Carolina Christmas Tree Facts
The state is one of the leading producers of trees for wholesale as well as choose and cut farms. Here’s some statistics from the NC Christmas Tree Association.
- The North Carolina Christmas Tree Industry is ranked second in the nation in number of trees harvested and cash receipts.
- North Carolina has approximately 850 growers producing Fraser Fir Christmas trees on an estimated 40,000 acres.
- Fraser fir represents over 94% of all species grown in North Carolina.
- Fraser fir is grown in the far Western North Carolina counties which include Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, Mitchell, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga and Yancey. The top producers are Alleghany, Ashe and Avery counties.
- North Carolina produces over 26% of the Real Christmas Trees in the U.S.
- in 2005, the Fraser Fir was adopted as the official Christmas tree of NC.
- The North Carolina Fraser fir has been judged the Nation’s best through a contest sponsored by the National Christmas Tree Association and chosen for the official White House Christmas tree 14 times (more than any other species)….1971, 1973, 1982, 1984, 1990, 1993, 1995, 1997, 2005, 2007, 2008 2012, 2018 and 2021!
- The Frasier fir was named after John Fraser, a Scottish botanist who explored the southern Appalachian Mountains in the 1700s.
- The North Carolina Fraser fir Christmas tree is the most popular Christmas tree in North America and is shipped into every state in the U.S. as well as the Caribbean Islands, Mexico, Canada, Bermuda, Japan and other points all over the world.
- It can take between 7-10 years to grow a 6-7 foot Fraser fir.
- The North Carolina Fraser fir has soft, pleasant-to-touch needles, incomparable needle retention, long lasting aroma, and more pliable yet stronger branches for even the heaviest ornaments.
- Individual Christmas tree growers may sell anywhere from a few dozen trees per year to hundreds of thousands of trees per year.
- While the Fraser fir is the only fir species indigenous to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, nearly 90% of the trees have been killed since 1962 because of the Balsam Wooly Adelgid insect.
The stunning Biltmore House Christmas tree is always from a local NC tree nursery. See our post about how Santa brings the tree to America’s largest private home.