Grab a Saw and Hack a Tree of Your Own This Holiday Season

The holiday season is characterized by a few staple elements, including cold weather, hot chocolate, snow, candy canes and — of course — the Christmas tree.

One of the perks of living on eastern Long Island is the many options for cutting down your own tree. Picking out the perfect tree is a family tradition for many that shapes the holiday season.

Lewin Farms in Calverton makes the tree experience fun and exciting for all. Family owned and operated for four generations, they offer a pre-cut selection and cut your own. The tree farm sprawls for over 100 acres, allowing families to get lost in the greenery and holiday spirit. A tractor picks up groups of people, who are then driven to different areas, which host different varieties of trees. There are four foot through 12 foot trees, all $30 regardless of size. Balled/live trees, that you can plant after the holiday season, are available for $50. Saws are available for your excursion with a $5 deposit.

Once left to explore the Christmas trees — searching for the perfect one — the real fun begins. The person with muscles in the group will surely cut down the tree and drag it to the beaten path where the tractor makes its rounds. Farm employees load the tree on the tractor, tag it and tie it up for the trip home.

Lewin Farms employee Kathy Bieber enjoys this time of year and has come to recognize faces over the years.

"Most people that come here, have come here for 20 years. They have come here every year with their children and now they are bringing their grandchildren. It's so nice, the repeat customers, and they are telling two friends and then they are coming," Bieber said. "During the week we are open every day, Monday through Friday, and its nice and relaxed, but Saturday and Sunday it is cuckoo crazy."

According to www.history.com, the tradition of picking and decorating a Christmas tree dates back to the 16^th century. For Scott and Laura Morvillo, from Centereach, cutting down their own tree is a relatively new addition to their holiday ritual. With their young daughter Gianna, bundled up, they boarded the tractor, taking pictures and pointing out trees the whole time. This was their fourth year traveling to Lewins Farms for their tree.

"My wife always had a fake tree growing up and so did I , so when we bought our house about five years ago, we said lets go get a real one. We figured we would cut it down, plus they last longer. The ones that you buy, you don't know how long they have been lying around for," said Scott.

Lewins tree farm is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day and will remain open until the weekend before Christmas. Come dressed in warm layers and prepared with cash, because they do not accept credit cards.

Farther east on the North Fork in Cutchogue is Santa's Christmas Tree Farm, which offers many varieties of trees as well as all of the Christmas decorations you will need to make your surroundings as festive as possible this season. The gift shop is like a winter wonderland in itself, with Christmas village displays, handmade wreaths, snow globes, ornaments and even festive martini glasses.

In it's 24^th year, the farm is family owned and operated. With approximately 30 acres of land there are 65,000 trees growing in different stages in order to have a constant, abundant supply each year. Patrons can choose from Douglas Fir and Concolour Fir. People can come to the farm in the early fall to choose and tag their tree. Some even decorate it to ensure that it is known that the tree is already claimed. On the weekends Santa's farm is staffed with employees who will cut down or help you cut down your own tree. They are open every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Trees up to 8 feet are $65, those taller are an additional $8 per foot.

Toni Ann Sinning has worked at the tree farm long enough to see different generations of the same family return each year. Her favorite part of the season is reconnecting with the patrons.

"I enjoy seeing people come back who came as little children and now they come back with children of their own. That is fun and that is nice to see and seeing people come back every year and buy a dated ornament. It is a fun place to work," Sinning said.

Santa visits the farm on the weekends through Christmas Eve, making for a great photo opportunity. There are also reindeer on the farm to add to the holiday spirit.

In Mattituck, Shamrock Christmas Tree Farm offers an eventful Christmas experience for all. In its 15^th season, they offer pre-cut trees, balled and bur lapped trees and cut your own. The tree varieties available are Douglas Fir, White Pine and Norway Spruce. Field trees are $65 and all other trees have price tags.

Novelty items, such as wreaths, arches and center pieces are made on the premises using materials from the farm. On the weekends there is a train ride that travels around the farm and complementary hot chocolate and popcorn. Santa makes a special visit from noon to 5 p.m. and is available for pictures. Attached to the gift shop is an antique sleigh museum, which is a great place to take pictures with the family.

Joe Shipman, along with his wife, Cathy, run the Shamrock Tree Farm. Although this time of year can be hectic and overwhelming they enjoy the fact that it makes for a great family experience.

"I like seeing all the little kids having a good time on the sleigh, getting a bag of popcorn. I like to see them happy and taking rides on the train. That's more important to me than anything else," he said.

Dart's Tree Farm in Southold is a quaint place to visit. They offer Douglas Fir and Fraser Fir trees, which you can cut down yourself or have an "elf," also known as an employee, help you. There are free hayrides and a live band on the weekend. Although it is the busy time of the year for him, Santa makes time to stop by Dart's and takes pictures. Inside an 18^th century barn is the gift shop and a handmade wreath shop. All trees are $89.95 and the farm is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Christmas Eve.

Rebecca Abatelli has worked at Dart's Tree Farm for the past three years. She enjoys working through the holiday season and seeing families and children during enjoying themselves amongst the festivities on the farm.

"I think the best part is the owner takes pictures every year of all the people and then they come back to see the wall of fame outside, where all the pictures are posted to look through and you can come and take your picture from last year. So its pretty much continuing families. Families come here from the city as a tradition. Its nice seeing the same families over and over again and the hayride is really fun and it keeps the kids busy," Abatelli said.

With all of the local tree farm options, there is no lack of entertainment, or that magical Christmas tree smell. With three full weeks left until Christmas, consider a visit to these tree farms to obtain a tree or to simply have some hot chocolate and hang out with Santa.

Stay tuned tomorrow for a video of Christmas tree shoppers visiting various local tree farms.