Choosing and Cutting Your Tree : Do-It-Yourselfers Head For One of the Mini-Forests When They’re Ready for a Pioneer Christmas Spirit

The days when pioneers would go into the forest or friendly neighbor’s field and cut a Christmas tree to put in the living room may be gone from America forever, but don’t give up. There still are “forests” where you can cut your own tree--even in the city. They’re choose-and-cut Christmas tree farms, and they’re in suburban and rural areas as well as cities throughout Southern California.

Farm trees have been grown especially for holiday harvesting. When one is cut, another is planted in its place. In Southern California, you will find stands of Monterey Pine, the only Christmas tree that grows well in our warmer climate. (Silver tips, spruces and other pines are shipped in as cut trees from Oregon, Washington and Montana, although some are also available in containers, as “living Christmas trees,” which many farms carry.)

Because the Monterey Pine is grown here, it is already acclimatized, which adds to its longevity. It is long-needled, well shaped and as fragrant as a douglas fir.

You have a choice of sizes on the tree farms, although most operators don’t like to see you cut anything five feet or under. The six-footer, which has taken six years to grow, is the best-shaped tree because it has reached maturity. The five-footers are still growing.

Most farms are open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. but some close at dusk. If you’re planning an evening visit, call ahead. Free parking is available. Various farms offer such features as free candy canes; hot coffee or, on weekends, a visiting Santa Claus. Some have wreaths and garlands for sale; at others boughs and greens may be free for the taking. A few provide hay-wagon rides and some have picnic areas.

Once you’ve selected your tree farm, the only thing you have to take along is your happy family--and perhaps a camera to record the holiday event. Saws, ropes and measuring sticks are provided.

There’s even support labor available, should you need it--youths who will saw, tie and carry the tree to your car if your energy gives out before your enthusiasm. (There’s no extra charge, but many of these helpers work only for tips.)

Tree prices can vary according to location and the farm’s policy. Some lots have a single price--about $40--regardless of size.

You can also purchase a stand at the farms, to hold the water so vital to keeping the tree fresh and fragrant. Some have a spike in the center to help hold the tree upright, and, at some locations, the trunk is drilled to accommodate this.

Five of the farms, including one 15 minutes from Los Angeles’ City Hall, are operated by Bud Lyon and his wife, Espie, in partnership with Dudley Gray.

Bud Lyon, a 20-year veteran of the business, is a director of the National Christmas Tree Assn. and president of the California Christmas Tree Growers.

Here is a listing of the nearly 80 members of the choose-and-cut tree farms that range from San Luis Obispo to San Diego.

Los Angeles County

Andrews Christmas Tree Farm, 10954 Independence Ave., Chatsworth, (818) 341-9858.

Cerritos Christmas Trees, 16401 S. Piuma, Cerritos, (213) 865-7330.

Christmas Tree Lane, 7150 Jackson St., Paramount, (213) 429-1484. Opens Saturday.

Elkins Choose & Cut, 6901 Atlantic Ave., North Long Beach, (213) 863-4668. Opens Saturday.

Fairgrove Christmas Tree Farm, 14855 Fairgrove Ave., La Puente, (818) 917-1080.

Frosty’s Forest Inc., 23256 Lyons Ave., Newhall, (805) 253-9266.

Grand Avenue Tree Farm, 1135 S. Grand Ave., Glendora, (818) 331-4553.

Grandpa’s Christmas Tree Farm, at corner of Clementina Drive and Paso Verde, Hacienda Heights, (818) 968-9804.

Green Acres Christmas Trees, 16401 Roscoe Blvd., Sepulveda, (818) 892-1021.

Green & Fresh Christmas Tree Farm, 3190 E. Del Mar Blvd., Pasadena, (818) 792-6725, (818) 960-7081, (818) 337-5785. Opens Saturday.

Lyon’s Christmas Trees, 23711 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance, (213) 530-6220.

Lyon’s Christmas Trees, 8500 Hellman Ave., Rosemead, (818) 288-7050.

Lyon’s Christmas Trees, 8500 Valley Blvd., Rosemead, (818) 288-0387.

Lyon’s Christmas Trees, 15438 E. Gale Ave., City of Industry, (818) 330-3716.

Lyon’s Christmas Tree Farm, 16391 E. Gale Ave., City of Industry, (818) 961-8388.

Lyon’s Christmas Tree Farm, 6215 Telegraph Road, Commerce, (213) 721-4200.

Santa’s Forest Christmas Tree Farm, 5911 E. Firestone Blvd., Downey, (213) 928-0722.

South Bay Christmas Tree Farm, 19150 S. Hawthorne Blvd., Torrance. Opens Saturday.

Sturrock Christmas Tree Farm, 6700 N. San Dimas Canyon Road, San Dimas, (714) 599-2630.

Windmill Christmas Tree Farm, 25500 Rye Canyon Road, Valencia Industrial Park, Valencia, (805) 255-6943.

Windmill Christmas Tree Farm, 29101 Old Road, Interstate 5 and California 126, Castaic.

Orange County

Anaheim Green Tree Farms, 2715 W. Broadway, Anaheim, (714) 524-9398.

Peltzer Pines, 1545 N. Batavia St., Orange, (714) 637-5555.

Peltzer Pines, 7596 Chapman Ave., Garden Grove, (714) 897-6161.

Peltzer Pines, 9801 S. Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, (714) 637-5555.

Peltzer Pines, 3864 Miraloma St., Anaheim, (714) 637-5555.

Saddleback Pines, 10722 Magnolia St., Stanton, (714) 995-3032.

Santa’s Forest, 1620 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim, (714) 776-8213.

Santa’s Forest-Yorba Linda, 5602 Van Buren Ave., Yorba Linda, (714) 993-3542.

TreTyme Tree Ranch, 7500 Garden Grove Blvd., Westminster, (714) 891-7639.

TreTyme Tree Ranch, 16343 Grenoble Lane, Huntington Beach, (714) 891-7639.

Western Pines, 7730 Western Ave., Buena Park, (714) 991-4118.

Wittman’s Christmas Tree Acres, 7740 Stanton Ave., Buena Park, (714) 522-1600.

Riverside County

Bolton’s Canyon Pines, 10470 Cajalco Road, Corona, (714) 737-3981.

Coalson’s Christmas Trees, 36523 W. Highway 60, Beaumont, (714) 845-4034.

Elias Tree Farm, 28391 Red Gum Drive, Lake Elsinore, (714) 674-2883.

El Sobrante Christmas Trees, 15200 El Sobrante Road, Riverside, (714) 779-6022.

Erwins Rocky Hill Christmas Tree Farm, office at 2292 La Sierra Ave., Riverside, (714) 359-3034.

K-M’s Tree Farm, corner of Columbia and Park avenues, Hemet, (714) 658-5901.

Phillips Christmas Tree Forest, 24101 Christmas Tree Lane, Perris, (714) 657-6194.

Santa’s Christmas Tree Farm, 14400 Moreno Beach Drive, Moreno Valley, (714) 242-3623.

Todd Christmas Tree Farm, 2600 Buena Vista Ave., Corona, (714) 737-0864.

Western Pines, Murrieta Boulevard at Rouse Road, Sun City, (714) 991-4118, (714) 679-4116.

San Bernardino

County

Camp O-Ongo O-Ongo Inc., 30777 California 18, Running Springs, (714) 867-2442, (800) 634-5900.

Casazza Christmas Tree Farm, 6229 East Ave., Etiwanda, Rancho Cucamonga, (714) 899-1107.

Christmas Conifers, 11445 Locust Ave., Bloomington, (714) 780-2979, (714) 877-6294.

Etiwanda Pines Christmas Tree Farm, 6674 East Ave., Etiwanda, (714) 899-1996.

Holiday Forest Christmas Trees, 7848 Reche Canyon Road, Colton, (714) 825-8337.

Juniper Pines Christmas Tree Farm, 7640 Juniper Ave., Fontana, (714) 829-0788.

Lamb’s Tree Farm, 5017 W. Howard Ave., Ontario, (714) 628-2489.

Mathews Christmas Tree Ranch, 17010 Mathews Ranch Road, near Devore, (714) 887-3669.

Santa’s Pride Christmas Tree Farm, 12325 Baseline Road, Etiwanda, (714) 899-2727, (714) 982-6326.

Valley View Mesa, 5098 Beryl Ave., Alta Loma, (714) 989-5819, (714) 987-1525.

San Diego County

Christie’s Trees, 4110 Manchester Road, Encinitas, (619) 942-2540.

Fallbrook Christmas Tree Farm, 1815 S. Stage Coach Lane, Fallbrook, (619) 728-6050.

Kaylor’s Tree Farm, 3212 N. Twin Oaks Valley Road, San Marcos, (619) 724-0536.

Mission Pines, 4062 S. Mission Road, Fallbrook, (714) 637-7527.

Pinery Tree Farm, corner of Pepper Drive and Graves Avenue, El Cajon, (619) 448-5331.

Pinery Tree Farm, 11385 El Nopal, Lakeside, (619) 449-4415.

Pinery Tree Farm, corner of Sweetwater and Bonita roads, four miles east of Chula Vista, (619) 487-1284.

Puckett’s Christmas Trees, 16620 Lawson Valley Road, Jamul, (619) 445-5286.

Pyramid Tree Farm, California 78, one mile east of Ramona, (619) 789-5358.

Ramona Pines Tree Farm, 1914 Pamo Road, Ramona, (619) 789-3368.

San Pasqual Christmas Tree Farm, San Pasqual Road, Escondido, (619) 747-3434.

Valley Trees, 16618 Lawson Valley Road, Jamul, (619) 445-5407.

Van Winkle Tree Farm, 16334 Wood Valley Trail, Jamul, (619) 445-TREE.

Wagner’s Christmas Tree Farm, 25655 Potrero Park Drive, Potrero.

San Luis Obispo

County

Holloway’s Christmas Trees, 505 S. Oakglen, Nipomo, (805) 929-3776.

Pearson’s Season’s Greenery, 764 Grande Ave., Nipomo,

Pellett’s Christmas Trees, 4320 Del Rio Road, Atascadero, (805) 466-2928.

Santa Barbara

County

East Valley Christmas Trees, 3027 Eversden Lane, Santa Maria, (805) 937-6813.

Ladera Christmas Tree Farm, 5375 Campbell Road, Lompoc, (805) 736-0188.

Noel Christmas Tree Farm, 555 Las Perlas, Santa Barbara, (805) 964-9688.

Rancho Dos Pueblos Christmas Tree Farm, Dos Pueblos Canyon Road, north of Santa Barbara, (805) 968-1979.

Ventura County

Boccali Ranch, 11675 Santa Paula-Ojai Road, Ojai, (805) 647-3300.

Christmas Ranch Tree Farm, 3800 Cochran St., Simi Valley, (805) 527-6412.

Christmas Ranch Tree Farm, 1586 Pederson Road, Thousand Oaks, (805) 527-6412.

Santa Paula Christmas Tree Farm, 18540 E. Telegraph Road, Santa Paula, (805) 525-8268.

This is part of a continuing series of free-lance columns that help explain how to deal with everyday situations in our lives and/or how to make life more enjoyable.