There’s certainly no shortage of tree farms and garden centres in the Bench offering fresh Christmas trees. The greatest challenge is choosing where to go to get one. So, Niagara Info compiled a list of some of the most popular places to pick up a fresh tree in West Niagara.
Some locations offer chop-your-own. Other garden centres have Christmas boutiques you can also browse while you grab the perfect Frasier Fir. Plus this year, many tree pick-up points also offer virtual DIY workshops for some extra Christmas crafting fun.
Here’s your guide to the top stops in West Niagara for Christmas trees and more:
Fun times at Twinkle Trees
Twinkle Trees has been in operation since 1956. It’s run by the Williams Family, which is advertised as “Niagara Region’s Most Fun Tree Farm,” and it is that. Visitors can bring their pets, enjoy a wagon ride, and hunt through the 32-acre farm that sits north of the Bruce Trail to find and chop down the best tree. Trees are $10 per foot, taxes included.
Be sure to bring your own saw. A tractor comes to help you take your cut tree to the parking area for loading.
Twinkle Trees plays Christmas music to set the scene. Jugs of fresh locally produced apple cider are also available for purchase. They’ve created special photo backdrops for family pictures, fire pits to keep visitors warm, and there’s a Santa’s Village set up.
Anyone who purchases a tree at Twinkle Trees qualifies for discounted items including gardening tools, shovels, hoes, rakes, pruning shears, saws, basic tools, a baler, large and small planters. It’s the Williams’ way to say thank you for visiting their Christmas tree farm this year.
They also cut, prune, and prep fresh trees for pick-up for those who want a real tree but aren’t interested in chopping one down themselves. To order a tree, call the day before you’d like to pick it up to specify pine or spruce, and what size. The number to call is 416-545-7245.
Twinkle Trees is located on the escarpment and offers a stunning view. Visit the Beamsville farm at 3906 Mountain Street across from Albright Gardens. (Do NOT follow the directions on Google Maps to the Mountainview Rd. address.)
For more information visit them online at Twinkle-Trees.ca. Twinkle Trees is only open this weekend and next, Dec. 5-6 and Dec. 12-13 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Following COVID-19 guidelines, masks must be worn in all indoor areas, on wagons, and in Santa’s Village and store and near bonfires. Visitors are asked to stay home if they are not feeling well or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. Pets must be kept on leashes.
Give Back with Cole’s
Every year Cole’s in Grimsby, located at 147 Main St. E, gives 100 per cent of the proceeds it receives from fresh-cut Christmas trees to local charities. This year is Cole’s 25th year supporting community organizations. Anyone who purchases at Cole’s can feel great knowing that those dollars are heading straight to eight groups that offer local support services.
This year it has Frasier Firs, Balsom Firs, and Scotch Pine, ranging from 6 feet to 12 feet. Purchase any fresh tree and support charities such as McNally House, GBF, Grimsby Life Centre, Rose Cottage, West Lincoln Community Care, Community Care of West Niagara, Upper Deck Youth Centre, and Village of Hope.
Cole’s also has a Christmas cottage filled with Christmas décor and traditional and trendy ornaments and giftware. Each area of the cottage showcases a different theme and colour palette so its great to explore to get ideas and pick up extra decor items.
Visitors must follow COVID-19 guidelines while at Cole’s. For more information visit its website at ColesFlorist.ca.
Shop Winona Gardens
Winona Gardens is a third-generation, family-owned garden centre and farm in Winona, Ontario, located at 1381 Highway 8 (at Fifty Rd). No need to chop your own tree at Winona Gardens, they make it easy. Visitors can simply browse the fresh trees displayed at the garden centre.
This holiday season, Winona Gardens is offering virtual Christmas Urn Arrangement Workshops. Anyone who’d like to attend one can pick up a craft kit with all the items provided. Or, receive one delivered to your door.
For those not interest in DIY, instead pick up arrangements, poinsettias, and other winter plant goodies at Winona Gardens too. Visit the Winona Gardens website for more details.
Inspiration at The Watering Can
Every November, The Watering Can receives a shipment of fresh-cut Christmas trees and donates 100 per cent of the proceeds to a local hospice. This year, most of its trees were sold the week of Nov. 13 to some eager Christmas decorators. Only a few trees remain at The Watering Can, but they have many other Christmas plants and fresh wreaths, including a popular assortment of Grinch inspired potted trees.
The Watering Can is also offering DIY Christmas workshops this year. It increased its workshop space to allow for social distancing. To ensure everyone’s safety, workshops are hosted in individual greenhouses behind the main Watering Can facility. Anyone who would like to attend a workshop must register in advance to reserve a table for themselves or a small group of people in their bubble. Workshop kits can also be purchased to do at home.
The cafe at the Watering Can is open too. So, while you visit and browse its exceptional selection of plants and Christmas decor, you can grab lunch, a treat, or a Christmas beverage like a candy cane hot chocolate.
The Watering Can is located at 3711 King St. in Vineland. For more information visit TheWateringCan.ca.
Piott Christmas Tree Farm: Sold Out of Trees
Is Piotts’ Tree Farm your usual stop? They’ve sold out fresh trees already. A Facebook post on Nov. 29 informed Piott Farm fans of the news. “The year 2020 has been full of surprises; due to the overwhelming Christmas spirit we have already sold our quota and are now closed for the season.”
The good news is, there are still many more tree pick-up points in the area. Pick one from the list above to purchase and trim your tree this weekend while you also support local merchants.