At Dart's Christmas Tree Farm in Southold, they don't use saws. Axes, neither.
"It just scares the trees," said Ed Dart, the farm's proprietor. "We call them 'tree liberators.'"
Saw, ax or tree liberator, they're used at a number of places across Long Island these days as people begin to cut their own Christmas trees.
Shopping for a pre-cut tree won't cut it at these farms. This is all about personalizing the holiday for you and your family. They'll arm you with a handsaw and send you into their little forest until you come out with a freshly cut tree.
Dress warm. Wear boots. Have fun.
Places offering U-Cut Christmas trees
(hours and prices may change for any number of reasons, so doublecheck before you go.)
Dart's Christmas Tree Farm
2355 Main Bayview Road, Southold, 631-765-4148. Open daily, 9-5.
Matt's Christmas Tree Farm
309 Weeks Ave., Manorville, 631-874-6260. Open daily, 8-4:30.
Mike's Christmas Tree Farm
323 Weeks Ave., Manorville, 631-874-3551. Open daily, 8-4:30
Muller's Christmas Tree Farm
338 Woodland Ave., Manorville, 631-878-1060. Open Dec. 9-10 only, 9 a.m. till dark
North Fork Preserve Christmas Tree Farm
5530 Sound Ave., Riverhead, 631-369-9592. Open daily til Dec. 23, from 9-4
Shamrock Christmas Tree Farm
Main Road & Elijahs Lane, Mattituck, 631-298-4118. Open daily, 9-5
Tilden Lane Farm
48 Wyckoff St., Greenlawn, 631-261-6392.
Grammas Flower Cottage
2891 Montauk Highway, Brookhaven, 631-730-6264.
Baiting Hollow Nursery
Fresh Pond and Sound avenues, Calverton, 631-929-4327.
