MARION COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – It’s a little late in the game, but we understand–these are busy times, and it’s tougher than ever to check all the items off your holiday season to-do list in expedient fashion.
If a live Christmas tree is an absolute must-have for your yuletide decor but you haven’t yet gotten around to picking one up, you’re in luck. There are still plenty available at roadside and parking-lot tents. If you’re still looking for a more Christmas-y experience in your tree selection, you’re also still in luck. While some favorite places, like Evergreen Express, have shut down for the year, several beloved local businesses are still offering up multiple options for selecting and cutting your own Christmas tree, doing a little gift shopping at the same time and maybe even meeting Santa.
Here’s where you can still get your tree–and an experience–in the 352
An annual holiday tradition just north of Ocala in Citra, Gibbs offers a variety of trees–along with an option to choose and cut your own Cypress–in addition to hayrides and adorable baby goats to play with. Gibbs is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., so that means there’s only one more weekend before Christmas to make a visit. 9740 E. HWY 318, Citra. 352-598-6860
Another 352 favorite to the north, Anthony’s Kandy Kane Christmas Treeland lets you choose and cut your own Florida Sand Pine, Cypress or Cedar tree, or you can choose from pre-cut trees in a breadth of sizes. Tues.-Fri. 1-6 p.m., Sat-Sun 9 a.m.-6 p.m. 10001 NE 27th Terrace, Anthony. 352-239-2979
Our own Ben Baugh loves this place; check out his story about this year’s visit. Nicholas’ offers a family-bonding opportunity to pick and cut your own Florida Sand Pine, Carolina Sapphire or Red Cedar Christmas tree, along with a great little market full of unique gifts and home decor. Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 14260 SE 8th Ave., Summerfield. 352-245-8633
OCALA NATIONAL FOREST
If you’re interested in going full old-school native, you can purchase a permit to cut your own Florida Sand Pine in Ocala National Forest. The permit is $10, and harvesting is only permitted in certain areas–you can download a map of designated Christmas Tree Cutting Areas when you buy the permit. Just be sure to follow all the usual rules when visiting the forest and exercise all the common sense you can muster. Multiple locations in Ocala National Forest. 352-625-2520
This annual Eustis mainstay has ticketed events (Santa photo op, hayride into the forest, etc.) and reservations for tree selection and pickup as well as both cut-your-own and northern-grown pre-cut options, but it’s coming down to the wire and they’re almost down to the cut-your-own experience. Visit their site (linked above) or call to make sure what you’re looking for is still available. Mon., Dec. 15 & Fri., Dec. 19, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; Sat., Dec. 20, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 35317 Huff Rd., Eustis. 352-357-9863
Amber Battillo contributed additional reporting to this article.
Check out our full list of big holiday events in the 352!