There's something about a real holiday tree that artificial versions just can't replicate. The fresh pine scent filling your living room, the satisfaction of picking out the perfect one and the tradition of bringing a little bit of nature indoors for the holidays all make it worth the effort. If you live in or around Buckhead, you have plenty of options for finding that ideal tree, whether you want the convenience of a nearby lot or the full experience of cutting your own at a farm outside the city.
This guide covers the best places to buy real holiday trees near our luxury Buckhead apartments, from established lots just minutes away to choose-and-cut farms worth the drive into North Georgia.
Holiday tree farms and lots around Buckhead
Holiday tree lots within 3 miles of Buckhead
If you want a quality tree without venturing far from home, Buckhead has several excellent options right in the neighborhood. These lots offer fresh trees, professional service and often delivery and setup if you'd rather skip the hassle of strapping a tree to your car roof.
Big John's Christmas Trees
Location: Buckhead Village
Big John's Christmas Trees is a 76-year-old Atlanta tradition that remains family owned and operated ever since the business began in 1949 in a Zesto parking lot. According to the company’s history, Big John Livaditis, who was by all accounts literally a large man, started selling holiday trees in Buckhead from the parking lot of his Zesto Drive-In on Peachtree Road across from Brookwood Station.
The Buckhead location carries nine different tree varieties during peak season, including Fraser Fir, Douglas Fir, Blue Spruce and more. Beyond trees, you'll also find wreaths in Magnolia, Cedar, Boxwood, Fraser, Noble and Mixed Noble varieties, along with extra thick Fraser Fir roping and Cedar garland. Tree stands range from tabletop sizes to commercial-grade options for larger spaces.
What sets Big John's apart is their selection process, as each tree is chosen for what they call "decorate-ability" and evaluated for balance, symmetry, proportion and texture. The family still travels to farms in North Carolina, the Pacific Northwest and Canada to hand-pick trees each season. They also offer delivery and installation for your home or office, professional tree lighting services and removal and recycling at season's end.
Little Rob's Christmas Trees
Location: Piedmont Road in Buckhead
Little Rob's was founded thirty-three years ago for a reason you might not expect, which was to fund a three-week rock climbing trip. Rob Dillon, a Buckhead native, started the lot in 1992 right after graduating from college after hearing about the opportunity from his father, who was friends with a holiday tree farmer. Nine months after that first season ended the climbing trip was over, but a tradition had begun.
The lot specializes in premium, fresh Fraser and Noble Fir holiday Trees, and they're proud to offer certified organic trees from the only certified organic holiday tree farmer around. Services include delivery and setup, tree lighting and decorating, plus accessories like wreaths, garlands and tree stands.
Little Rob's has built a loyal following over three decades by serving repeat customers who check in annually, which creates a genuine community feel. Rob himself returns to Atlanta each year from Colorado, where he spends most of his time rock climbing and working with Outward Bound, to run the lot through the holiday season.
Tradition Trees
Location: Near the Atlanta History Center
Tradition Trees was founded in 2006 when Atlanta native Matt Bowman opened his first lot in Little Five Points with his younger brother Jeff's help. In 2009 they leased land in Jackson County, North Carolina and started farming their own trees, and currently they have over 40 acres under management while also selling trees to other retailers throughout the Southeast.
The company farms Fraser Fir, Canaan Fir, Concolor Fir and Nordman Fir holiday trees on leased land in Mitchell and Jackson counties in Western North Carolina. At their lots you'll find premium holiday trees of all sizes along with wreaths, garlands, tree stands and firewood.
Tradition Trees offers a full range of services including delivery, installation and after-holiday removal and recycling. They also provide home and business decorating services both inside and out, and if you opt for a lit tree package you can choose between warm white LED mini lights or multi-color options.
One thing worth noting is that Tradition Trees donates a percentage of every tree sale to local charities such as Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, the Winship Cancer Institute and the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Since the company started they've donated over $50,000 to local charities!
Home Depot
Location: Near the I-85 and GA-400 intersection in Buckhead
The Buckhead Home Depot carries live holiday trees seasonally and works with supply partners from all over the country, which allows them to remain unaffected by regional weather situations that might impact tree availability elsewhere. They offer both live trees and artificial options in various sizes and styles, with in-store pickup and curbside pickup available.
Holiday tree farms worth the drive
If you're looking to make a day of it or want to start a new family tradition, several holiday tree farms within driving distance of Buckhead offer choose-and-cut experiences along with seasonal activities. These farms let you walk the fields, pick your perfect tree and often enjoy hot chocolate, hayrides and visits with Santa along the way.
Berry's Tree Farm
Location: Covington, GA (approximately 35 miles from Buckhead)
Berry's Christmas Tree Farm has been a mainstay in the Covington area for over 40 years, with the first choose-and-cut trees sold on the farm back in 1983. The farm's goal is to create a family tradition and expose their growing population to an agricultural environment, which is something that sets them apart from a retail lot or big-box store.
Tree varieties available include Leyland and Murray cypress, Carolina Sapphire, cedar, Virginia pine and Blue Ice for choose-and-cut options. Pre-cut Fraser Firs are also available, and snow flocking is offered if you want that winter wonderland look.
Beyond the trees, Berry's offers train rides, a petting zoo, a concession stand and pictures with Santa on select dates. Fresh wreaths and decorations are available in their village area.
The farm has some notable credentials, as their trees have been featured in numerous movies and films, adorned the Georgia State Capitol and Governor's Mansion and been an integral part of the holiday display at Stone Mountain Park near Atlanta.
Kinsey Family Farm
Location: Gainesville, GA (approximately 50 miles from Buckhead)
Kinsey Family Farm offers one of the more extensive tree selections in the area.
Starting about a week before Thanksgiving, their Enchanted Christmas Tree Forest is continuously stocked with gorgeous trees brought in from the mountains of North Carolina and Oregon. Here, you'll find Fraser Fir, Noble Fir, layered Noble Fir, Nordmann Fir, Silvertip Fir and Douglas Fir, along with flocked trees. Options include choosing and cutting your own, pre-cut trees and even living trees in containers that can be planted after the holidays.
The farm experience includes wagon rides to the fields, hot chocolate and holiday music in the barn, as well as fresh wreaths and garlands for purchase. For almost two decades the farm has also participated in donating holiday trees to military families through the Trees for Troops program!
Bottoms Christmas Tree Farm
Location: Cumming, GA (approximately 35 miles from Buckhead)
With more than 5,000 holiday trees to choose from, Bottoms Christmas Tree Farm has one of the largest selections in the metro Atlanta area. Choose-and-cut options range in size from 4 to 11 feet in most varieties and include Leyland Cypress, Murray Cypress, Carolina Sapphire, White Pine and Virginia Pine. Pre-cut Fraser Firs from North Carolina are available in the barn.
The farm offers Santa visits for free family pictures on select dates, complimentary marshmallow roasts and apple cider, a walking trail around the lake and farm animals to visit. There's also a picnic area, making it easy to spend a few hours here. As an added bonus, leashed dogs are also welcome to join in on the fun!
Barn Hill Tree Farm
Location: Dahlonega, GA (approximately 65 miles from Buckhead)
Barn Hill Tree Farm started in 2016 when the owners cleared the valley between hills where Crooked Creek runs through their property. Wanting to share the beauty of the Dahlonega foothills, the idea of growing holiday trees and opening the farm to guests was planted, and so were the trees.
The farm offers Murray Cypress and Carolina Sapphire trees for choose-and-cut, and you can either cut your own or staff will cut your tree for you. Enjoy free hot chocolate while walking through the trees and spend time around the open fire pit making s'mores and roasting marshmallows. A small retail area features handcrafted items made from farm-grown products.
The farm participates in the Trees for Troops charity program by donating trees to military families, and its location near historic downtown Dahlonega makes it easy to combine your tree-hunting trip with lunch or shopping in town. After all, Dahlonega is, unofficially, the best holiday town in Georgia, so it’s well worth the trip out there!
Sleepy Hollow Christmas Tree Farm
Location: Powder Springs (approximately 25 miles from Buckhead)
This beloved farm has been offering family fun for almost 40 years. Beyond Leyland Cypress, Carolina Sapphire, Virginia Pines and pre-cut Fraser Firs, visitors can meet sheep, goats, pigs, chickens and rabbits. A country store sells jams, jellies, honey and ciders, and a playground is open on weekends.
Other notable options
NorthStar Christmas Trees in East Atlanta on Glenwood Avenue (approximately 8 miles from our luxury Buckhead apartments) specializes in Fraser Fir trees from North Carolina. Founded in 2009, the lot has a strong community focus and donates trees to the East Atlanta Kids Club each year. After the holidays the trees are donated to Zoo Atlanta for the animals to eat.
Trees for Tuition operates multiple lots around Atlanta, including locations in Virginia Highland, Kirkwood, Grant Park, Inman Park, Little Five Points and Roswell. What started as two high schoolers trying to fund their college expenses in 2015 has grown into a scholarship fund that has awarded thousands of dollars to Atlanta students. They offer full-service lots, delivery, installation and online ordering for Fraser Fir trees.
Final thoughts
Whether you prefer the convenience of a Buckhead lot with decades of history or want to bundle up and head to a North Georgia farm for the full choose-and-cut experience, there's no shortage of options for finding a real holiday tree near our luxury Atlanta apartments. Many of these businesses have been serving Atlanta families for generations, and most offer services that make the process easier, from delivery and setup to removal after the holidays!
Just remember that tree supplies can vary year to year depending on weather and demand, so it's always a good idea to call ahead or check social media pages for availability updates, especially if you're planning a trip to one of the farms. And if you're heading out to cut your own, dress for the weather and bring some patience because finding the perfect tree is only half the fun.
Enjoy, and happy holidays!
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Featured photo Image by James Farley from Pixabay
Second Photo by Gaby Dyson on Unsplash
Third Photo by Frames For Your Heart on Unsplash
Fourth Photo by WILLIAM Hirst on Unsplash
Fifth Photo by Cara Rodriguez on Unsplash
