Every year, our family goes to a tree farm and cuts down a tree for Christmas. It’s a fun winter tradition that gets us outside, and a real tree just makes the house smell SO good! It’s definitely more work than a fake tree, but we love it and the kids do too.

We go to the same tree farm every year- Thomas’ Tree Farm, but here’s a list of all the places near Ottawa where you can go to cut down your own tree!

Scroll down to the end for tips on how to dress for visiting the tree farms while staying clean and warm!

East End

Briggs Trees

Distance from Ottawa: 30 minutes
Address: 4075 Rockdale Road, Navan, Ontario
Open for the 2023 Season: November 12^th
Hours: Open daily from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Tree Types: Scotch Pine, Balsam Fir, White Spruce, Norway Spruce
Prices: $75.00 for trees under 8’ or $90 for trees above 8’. Tabletop trees (up to 4’ tall) available for $55.00. Debit and cash accepted.
Dogs Allowed: Yes, on leash.
Notes: Briggs farm is a walking farm on 1 hundred acres, so dress warmly and prepared to walk!

West End

Fallowfield Tree Farm Inc.

Distance from Ottawa: 35 minutes
Address: 6100 Fallowfield Rd, Stittsville, ON K2S 1B8
Open for the 2023 Season: November 25th
Hours: Open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day.
Tree Types: Fraser and Balsam Firs, Spruce, and Pine. Their website notes a limited supply of cut-your-own trees, but they also have precut trees available.
Prices: Based on height. The first 9’ cost $14 each, and from 9’ to 12’ each foot costs $20. Cash, debit and credit accepted.
Dogs Allowed: Yes, on leash.
Notes: This tree farm has a lot of additional activities, for an additional cost. These include tractor rides, horse/pony rides, and bouncy castles! There’s free hot chocolate available and bonfires to sip it by, as well as a free tree-shaking and wrapping service.

Cedar Hill Christmas Tree Farm

Distance from Ottawa: 1 hour
Address: 951 8th Concession South, Pakenham, ON K0A 2X0
Open for the 2023 Season: November 18th
Hours: Open daily, see website for hours as they vary from day to day.
Tree Types: Fraser Fir, Balsam Fir, Scotch Pine, Blue Spruce, White Spruce
Prices: Each tree is individually tagged with it’s price. Prices range from $40 to $200. Cash, debit, credit and Apple Pay accepted.
Dogs Allowed: Yes- on leash and not indoors anywhere on the farm.
Notes: This tree farm is said to be incredibly photogenic, and a great spot for holiday photos. There’s a food truck on site to grab lunch at, and a campfire available to enjoy it by. Santa is on site some weekends- check their website for details! Cedar Hill also shakes your Christmas tree before you head home with it.

South End

Mageaus Tree Farm

Distance from Ottawa: 20 minutes
Address: 4843 27, Carlsbad Springs, ON K0A 1K0
Open for the 2023 Season: November 28th
Hours: Monday to Saturday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tree Types: Balsam and Frasier Firs, White Spruce
Prices: $60 for trees less than 10’, $120 for trees taller than 10’. Cash or cheque accepted.
Dogs Allowed: Unclear, please call ahead to confirm.
Notes: This is the closest tree farm to Ottawa that we’ve found!

Thomas’ Tree Farm

Distance from Ottawa: 33 minutes
Address: 6421 McCordick Rd, North Gower, ON K0A 2T0
Open for the 2023 Season: November 24th
Hours: Thursday to Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tree Types: Balsam and Fraser Firs, Scoth Pine, Spruce
Prices: $80 to $130
Dogs Allowed: No
Notes: This is the tree farm we visit every year! A tractor pulls us out to the tree lot and then we wander around until we find the perfect tree! Afterwards there’s free hot chocolate and homemade cookies that we enjoy by the fire. There’s also a small park for the kids to play at, and they shake and wrap our tree for free!

Hillcrest Tree Farm

Distance from Ottawa: 36 minutes
Address: 7357 Fourth Line Rd, North Gower, ON K0A 2T0
Open for the 2023 Season: November 25th
Hours: Wednesday to Friday 12-4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tree Types: Spruce, Blue Spruce, and Balsam
Prices: $75 to $110
Dogs Allowed: No
Notes: Campfires on weekends!

Lairds Tree Farm

Distance from Ottawa: 36 minutes
Address: 2618 Manotick Station Rd, Osgoode, ON K0A 2W0
Open for the 2023 Season: November 25th
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily
Tree Types: Balsam Fir, Spruce and Blue Spruce
Prices: $80 to $125
Dogs Allowed: Unclear, please call ahead to confirm.
Notes: On weekends there are free wagon rides and a bonfire to enjoy.

Tips on How to Dress for Cutting Your Own Christmas Tree

Of course, depending on the time/day/year that you go to cut your own tree, the weather will be different. So make sure to check it before you go!

And plan to dress so that you can stay warm and dry. Also know that you may NOT stay clean.

Sometimes between taking a wagon ride, searching for the perfect tree, drinking hot chocolate, and watching the kids play, we’re outside for an hour and a half getting our Christmas tree.

So you really do want to be dressed warmly enough. Otherwise you’ll be miserable and rushing, and you’ll end up with a tree with a giant bald spot in it!

There’s also a lot of walking to find the perfect tree, so I usually just wear my hiking boots or other waterproof/comfy boots.

And then when you’re cutting your tree down and carrying it home, there’s a lot of potential to get dirty! So today is not REALLY the day for your fanciest clothing- unless you’re prepared to risk it for beautiful holiday photos.

Typically the person actually doing the cutting-down of the tree actually has to get down on hands and knees for at least a few minutes to saw through the trunk. And then it’s often a two-person job to carry the tree back to the tractor and then to your car. Your sleeves may get covered in dirt or sap, and any delicate material may snag or rip.

So, dress warmly, plan to get down and dirty, and have a great time making memories!