One of our Christmas family traditions is going to choose our own Christmas tree each year from a Sussex Christmas Tree Farm. We have tried several over the years and definitely have our favourites. Although each of the boys seems to get more and more ambitious with their choice of a live tree. Cutting your own Christmas Tree has become more popular in recent years. This has meant that there are lots more Christmas Tree farms appearing. In Sussex, we are spoilt for choice with 16 different Christmas tree farms in the local area. Giving us lots of choice when it comes to hunting down our own real Christmas tree ready for the festive season.
Tips when visiting a Christmas Tree Farm
If this is your first visit to a Christmas Tree Farm then these tips should help you make the most of your visit. Plus there are a couple of Christmas tree tips which will help your tree to look its best.
Booking
Not all Christmas Tree farms require you to book. Although some do so double-check this especially as it is often a short Christmas season. Our local one requires booking at weekends. This post was updated in October 2023 and the information below is correct at that time. However, things can change and with Christmas Trees expected to be in short supply this year ringing ahead is recommended. Most Christmas Tree farms accept credit card as well as cash.
Cutting
We take our own hand saw to cut down the tree. Some Christmas tree farms will cut down the tree for you. Others are happy for you to cut your own. If you would prefer someone to cut it for you then again it is worth checking in advance if this is offered. Almost all will have some ready-cut trees and some may offer a selection of pot-grown tree to choose from.
Tape measure
Do not forget your tape measure a tree in a field can look very different in size than when it is in your house. A tape measure will help you put things in perspective. We forgot this one year and ended up with a 7 ft tree. When our house can really only take a 6ft tree when you take the stand etc into consideration.
Picking trees
Expect to spend some time picking out your perfect Christmas tree. We always seem to take a lot longer than we think we will. And inevitably end up with the first one we saw. It is worth having an idea of the variety of trees on offer and which one you would ideally like.
Delivery
Some Christmas Tree Farms will offer delivery, check the cost of this and the delivery options available. Failing that make sure you remember the roof bars and rope to tie your tree down. It s difficult to fit a tree in the boot with two kids in the car!
Lemonade
When you get home we normally take an extra inch and a half off th bottom of the tree. Especially if we do not put it into the water straight away. This will avoid the trunk of the tree from becoming sealed. The other slightly mad thing we do is add full-fat lemonade to the water. My husband read this was a good trick to keep your tree from dropping several years ago. I have no idea where. Anyway it appears to work so we do it each year and I trees do not drop badly. Even when we have them up for 8 weeks!
Keep away from radiators
Where possible keep your tree away from a radiator. Those pines up against it will likely burn and go brown. If like us you have few options then you may want to consider turning down that particular radiator.
Sussex Christmas Tree Farm
These Sussex Christmas tree farms sell trees directly from their fields and have acres of trees. This means you can get in most instances the full tree-cutting experience if this is what you are looking for.
Sussex Christmas Trees Goodenwick Farm
- Location – Goddenwick Farm, Lindfield, West Sussex, RH16 2QX
- Opening Times – open every day 23rd November 2024 – 23rd December, 9 am – 5 pm
- Prebooking – No mention on their Sussex Trees website.
- Varieties of trees – five varieties of pines are available. Nordman Fir, Norway Spruce, Fraser Fir, Korean Fir and Farmer Toms Famous Sussex Fir. Prices vary depending on the height of the tree and the type chosen. With prices starting at £25 for a 4ft Norway Spruce and going all the way up to £820 for a 24-26ft Nordmann Fir.
- Precut – Yes. Trees can also be ordered online and delivered.
- Other facilities – Wander through 4 pick-your-own fields. There is also a Christmas gift shop that sells Christmas decorations and other Christmas treats including Sussex Pines gin. During the weekends you can find, hot drinks, mulled wine and Santa’s Grotto. Which is raising money for Chestnut Tree House. Santa Claus will be there on selected weekends, dates for 2024 have yet to be released, for the most up-to-date information see their social media channels. Reindeer can also be found at the back of the tree barn. Plus there are lots of other farm animals including pygmy goats, sheep, donkeys, peacocks, ducks, chickens and alpacas. Something for the whole family.
- More Info – https://sussextrees.co.uk/
Sussex Christmas Trees Five Ashes
- Location – Five Ashes, Heathfield, East Sussex, TN20 6JG
- Opening Times – open every day 23rd November 2024 – 23rd December, 9 am – 5 pm
- Prebooking – Is not required.
- Varieties of trees – Nordman Fir, Norway Spruce, Fraser Fir, Korean Fir and Farmer Toms Famous Sussex Fir. Prices vary depending on the height of the tree and the type chosen. With prices starting at £25 for a 4ft Norway Spruce. The maximum tree height available at their original plantation is 12ft.
- Precut – You can opt for a pre-cut tree and these can be ordered and delivered online.
- Other facilities – Five Ashes is home to Sussex Christmas Trees own plantation. They have trees up to 12 foot tall. You can pick your own from the vast plantation with staff on site to help cut them down, or just grab a pre-cut one from the barn. There is also a Christmas shop, bursting with decorations, gifts, Christmas lighting and other Christmas treats including Sussex pines gin.
- More info – https://sussextrees.co.uk/five-ashes/
Furze Firs Christmas Trees
- Location – Furze View, Slinfold, Near Horsham, West Sussex, RH13 0RH
- Opening Times – Open from the 23rd of November, from 9 am to 4 pm with the last entry for cutting a tree at 3 pm.
- Prebooking – Yes at the weekends you need to book a time slot. The Christmas tree farm is down a lane in a residential area and has a small car park so the booking process is to manage footfall. Booking can be done via the website and is not possible if visiting during the week. It is a family farm run by four separate local families. This is our most local farm and we love it always finding the perfect tree.
- Varieties of trees – Nordmann Fir, prices start at £45 for a tree up to 6ft and go up to £150 for a 12ft tree. Trees over 12ft are available, these are priced individually with prices available on request.
- Precut – Yes pre-cut Nordmann Firs are available as well as pot-grown trees. Pot-grown trees cost £30 for a 30ft tree, £40 for a 4ft tree and £50 for a 5ft tree.
- Other facilities – They also sell holly wreaths, Christmas tree stands, logs and kindling. If you ask nicely during peak times there is sometimes someone to help you with taking your tree up from the field to the car.
- More Info – https://www.furzefirs.co.uk/
Kingsley Farm Christmas Trees
- Location – Kingsley Farm, Blackberry Road, Felcourt, RH7 6NQ
- Opening Times – Open every day from the 23rd November 2024 to Saturday 23rd December 2024, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm every day.
- Prebooking – No mention on their website.
- Varieties of trees – Selling three traditional varieties of tree. Norway spruce, the very popular ‘non-drop’ Nordmann Fir and Blue Spruce. The price list is not available on their website at the time of writing this.
- Precut – Yes, you can also select your tree and come back and get it at a later date. They will cut you tree for you. It is also possible to dig up a tree if you would like to keep it with roots which is unusual as many places will not allow you to do this.
- More Info – https://www.kingsleyfarm.co.uk/
Littledown Christmas Tree Farm
- Location – Littledown Farm, The Main Road, Westfield, East Sussex TN35 4SL
- Opening Times – Opening from the 23rd November to the 24th December from 8am to 8pm.
- Prebooking – No mention on their website.
- Varieties of trees – There is a great choice of trees – Nordmann Fir, Norway Spruce, Blue Spruce, Fraser Fir, Noble Fir and Scots Pine. Prices for their trees are not available on their website.
- Precut – Yes and they will deliver contact them for more details.
- Other facilities – They also offer wreaths, local produce (potatoes), Christmas tree stands and mistletoe for sale. Some years they also have Reindeer. It is worth checking their Facebook page to see if they will be there when you intend to visit.
- More Info – http://www.littledownfarmchristmastrees.co.uk/
Catsfield Christmas Tree Farm
- Location – Catsfield Christmas Tree Farm, The Stream, Battle, East Sussex, TN33 9BB
- Opening Times – Friday 15th November 2024 to Christmas Eve, 9 am – 6 pm weekdays, 8 am – 6 pm weekends
- Prebooking – None
- Varieties of trees – Nordmann Fir, Norway Spruce, Fraser Fir and Serbian Spruce. Prices vary on the size and type of tree chosen. But start at £31 for a 4ft Serbian Spruce, £30 for a potted tee and £62 for a Nordmann Fir. It is not possible to cut your own tree but you do have the ability to reserve your tree in the plantation in advance at set times only.
- Precut – Yes and offer a delivery service form £13. Plus a New Year collection service which is bookable via their website. Potted trees are also available.
- Other facilities – Online shop selling decorations, lights, wreaths and stands. Plus a farm shop on site selling the same. Handmade wreaths and will carry your tree to the car at no additional charge.
- More Info – https://catsfieldchristmastreefarm.com/
Wilderness Wood
- Location – Main Road, Hadlow Down, East Sussex, TN22 4HJ
- Opening Times – There are a limited number of cut your own trees available in the field each year. You can reserve a tree on the 9th & 10th of November. And then come and cut and collect at a later date.
- Prebooking – None
- Varieties of trees – Norway Spruce, Nordmann Fir and Fraser Fir. With prices starting at £26 for 3-4ft Norway Spruce to a 12ft Nordmann Fir for £185.
- Precut – Yes these are also a available from 23rd November 2023 to the 21st of December.
- Other facilities – There are several Christmas Fayre weekends these are on the 30th of November and the 1st, 7th and 8th of December. Arts and crafts, pizzas, barista coffee, local bubbly, mulled cider and roasted chestnuts. They suggest booking a car park space in advance a link is available on the website below.
- More Info – https://www.wildernesswood.org/christmas
Fox Hill Christmas Trees
- Location – Lunces Common, Ditchling Road, Haywards Heath, RH16 4QU
- Opening Times – Opening daily from the 23rd of November 2024, between 8 am to 5 pm and 4.30 pm on Sundays.
- Prebooking – No mention on the website.
- Varieties of trees – Norway Spruce, Blue Spruce, Nordmann Fir and Balsam Fir. They also sell freshly dug potted trees up to 5ft and small container-grown trees
- Precut – Yes
- Other facilities – Fox Hill Christmas trees also offers delivery to local areas from £6 – £9. They sell kindling, logs and homemade Christmas wreaths with Christmas tree stands.
- More Info – https://www.foxhillchristmastrees.co.uk/
Spithandle Nursery
- Location – Spithandle Nursery, Spithandle Lane, Steyning, BN44 3DY
- Opening Times – These have not been released yet for 2024 although juding by the last year they will open around the 25th of November.
- Prebooking – No although they do control cars if it gets too busy so visit early during peak times.
- Varieties of trees – Huge range of homegrown trees – choose from our non-drop, traditional Norway spruce, dig your own and pot-grown trees
- Precut – Yes
- Other facilities – Enjoy a free cup of hot chocolate, homemade mince pie, lucky dip and pony ride
- More Info – https://www.facebook.com/SpithandleNursery/
Oatgates Christmas Trees
- Location – Clearwater Lane, Scaynes Hill, Haywards Heath RH17 7NF
- Opening Times – They are open from the 4th of November every day for tree reservation and then from 1st December for cutting. After which they are open every day from 9 am to 4.30 pm. Make sure you keep an eye on their social media pages for up-to-date information.
- Prebooking – none
- Varieties of trees – Nordmann Firs up to 8ft and Norway Spruce
- Precut – no
- Other facilities – none
- More Info – https://www.facebook.com/OakgatesChristmasTrees/
Tibbs Farm
- Location – Tibbs Farm, Udimore, Rye, East Sussex, TN31 6AR
- Opening Times – These have not been released yet for 2024, keep an eye on their soical media pages for details of the dates
- Prebooking – No mention of needing to pre book on their website
- Varieties of trees – Huge range of homegrown trees – choose from our non-drop, traditional Norway spruce, dig your own and pot-grown trees
- Precut – Yes but you can also roam the plantation to pick your own
- Other facilities – There is a cafe on site as well as summer PYO fruits, and a variety of other attractions to include farm trails, an impressive hedge maze, farm animals and festive seasonal crops
- More Info – https://www.tibbsfarm.com/pick-your-own-fruit
Sussex Christmas Tree Farms sells cut trees only
There are several places where you can purchase Christmas Trees. Although they call themselves farms it is not possible to go and pick your tree from the field. Yet the trees they sell are all sourced locally and could be from some of the Christmas Tree farms mentioned above.
New House Farm Christmas Trees
- Location – The Grain Store, Old Crawley Rd, Horsham RH12 4RU
- Opening Times – New House Farm farm shop and tea room are open all year round. Details of their trees are not yet available. Keep an eye on their facebook pages for up-to-date information.
- Prebooking – none
- Christmas tree varieties – not specified
- Precut Christmas trees – yes
- Other facilities – Last year they also had a Santa’s Grotto for the first time. Tickets need to be purchased in advance. Unlike other similar establishments, their trees are set up like a wood inside to allow you to wander amongst the trees and see them in their full glory before making a purchase. A good location if the weather is bad.
- More Info – https://www.facebook.com/nhfchristmastrees/
Balcombe Estate Sawmill
- Location – Haywards Heath Rd, Balcombe, Haywards Heath RH17 6NJ
- Opening Times – Dates for 2024 have not been updated yet. Open for Christmas Tree and log sales from the 1st of December to the 23rd of December, every day from 10 am to 4 pm.
- Prebooking – no
- Varieties of trees – all trees are grown in West Sussex and are available from 4ft to 40ft. Norway Spruce, Nordmann Fir and Serbian Spruce. Prices start at £35 for a Norway Spruce and go up to £100 for a Nordmann Fir. Taller trees are also available and are sold at price per foot. Contact them for more details.
- Precut – yes
- Other facilities – logs and kindling also for sale.
- More Info – https://www.balcombesawmill.co.uk/products/christmas-trees/
Brighton & Hove Christmas Trees
- Location – This an online service only
- Opening Times – You can order your tree now.
- Prebooking – If you want to ensure you get the size of tree you would like then it is best to order your tree in advance. As they do sell out. You can either pay by card or cash on delivery.
- Varieties of trees – Range in size from 80cm potted trees all the way up to 20ft. Nordmann Fir, Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce and Serbian Spruce.
- Precut – yes and potted options are avaliable if you would prefer a living tree.
- Other facilities – All trees are delivered free of charge to certain areas and you have the option of arranging a collection after New Year. Collection costs £5 or if you would like the tree removed from inside your property this is £10. They also offer an install option where they remove branches, cut the trunk of the tree and leave standing in water. This needs to be selected at checkout.
- More Info – https://www.brightonandhovechristmastrees.co.uk/
Devil Dyke Christmas Trees
- Location – Devil’s Dyke Rd, Brighton BN1 8YL
- Opening Times – Dates not released for 2024. Friday 24th November 2023 and we will then be open weekends. Open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until they have gone. Last year they sold out so check their website in advance. Opening hours are 9 am to 6 pm.
- Prebooking – no
- Types of trees – Nordmann Firs only but all grown in West Sussex
- Precut – yes freshly-cut trees only
- Other facilities – The Christmas tree shop is out in the open, with lots of trees on display like wandering through a woodland. There are some beautiful lights, the smell of an open fire, Christmas songs playing and Santa’s shepherd’s hut in the background. Allow some extra time to go for a walk and take in the beautiful views across the South Downs.
- More Info – https://www.devilsdykechristmastrees.co.uk/
Do you get a real tree each year? Do you go to a Christmas Tree Farm to collect or cut your family Christmas tree? I would love to hear about your Christmas Traditions in the comments below. Wishing you a very merry Christmas time and holiday season.
If you have enjoyed this blog post then you may find some of these others of interest:
- Christmas Tree Farms in Surrey
- Christmas Tree Farms in Kent
- The Best Christmas Market in Kent
- The Best Christmas Markets in Sussex
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