CHOOSE AND CUT YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE

Time constraints, modern life styles and weather all conspire to deny county residents many of the trappings of a traditional Christmas. There are not too many sleigh rides to grandma’s, for example, when the thermometer lurks around 70 degrees.

But one tradition we can enjoy is cutting a fresh Christmas tree.

Orange County has a nice crop of tree farms where either you or the farm staff can cut a tree. Some farms provide services such as home delivery, flocking and fire-retarding; some provide seasonal treats. Most farms plan to be open until Christmas Eve but will close when their stocks are depleted.

ANAHEIM GREEN TREE FARMS

2715 W. Broadway, Anaheim

(714) 827-1021

Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily

Prices: All trees up to 12 1/2 feet are $3 to $6 a foot; fire-retarding $3 a foot; compressing and netting 50 cents a foot

Notes: Customers may reserve trees for pickup later; free candy canes for children; $2 discount for returning customers. Only staff cuts. Open until Dec. 22.

BROOKHURST PINES

1550 S. Brookhurst St., Anaheim

(714) 991-5556

Hours: noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday-Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Prices: Sizes from 3 to 10 feet, prices from $4 to $70

Notes: Five-acre farm; customers may reserve trees for pickup later; free branches and pine cones; free popcorn and candy canes. Customers may cut, but staff would prefer to cut. Open until Dec. 22.

BAILEY-FINDLEY CHRISTMAS TREES

18281 Bastanchury Road, Yorba Linda

(714) 970-0694

Hours: noon until dark Monday-Friday; 8 a.m. until dark Saturday and Sunday

Prices: Sizes up to 8 feet; $5 a foot; fire-retarding $2 a foot; flocking $2 a foot. Delivery available; fee based on tree size and distance.

Notes: 3 1/2-acre farm; customers may reserve trees for pickup later; free branches for decoration; 10% discount to returning customers. Customers may cut or staff will do so.

HOLIDAY TREE FARM

1550 S. Lewis St., Anaheim

No telephone

Hours: noon to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Prices: Sizes 5 feet to 11 feet; prices $25 to $80

Notes: Seven-acre farm; customers may reserve trees for pickup later. Staff will cut and tie on car.

LYONS CHRISTMAS TREE FARMS

(four locations)

8701 Slater St., Fountain Valley

(714) 843-5858

7462 McFadden Ave., Huntington Beach

(714) 891-7639

19722 Magnolia St., Stanton

(714) 995-3032

7500 Garden Grove Blvd., Westminster

(714) 897-5634

Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday

Prices: $33.95 for any tree

Notes: 8 1/2-acre farm with 8,500 trees; customers may cut or staff will do so and tie to car.

OLD TYME CHRISTMAS TREE FARM

1511 N. Main St., Orange

(714) 974-6244

Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Prices: $4.50 to $4.75 a foot; fire-retarding $2.75

Notes: 4 1/2-acre farm with 1,600 trees; customers may reserve trees for pickup later. Staff cuts and will tie to car; candy canes, greens available.

ORANGE CHRISTMAS TREE FARM

1550 N. Glassell St., Orange

(714) 998-2621

Hours: noon to 5 p.m., Wednesday-Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Prices: Sizes from 2 to 10 feet; prices $2 to $70; flocking $2 a foot

Notes: Two-acre farm with 2,600 trees; customers may reserve trees for pickup later. Customer may cut or staff will do so and tie on car. Free branches, trimmings and $2-off coupons. A nonprofit organization.

PELTZER PINES CHRISTMAS TREE FARM

(seven locations)

7596 Chapman Ave., Garden Grove

(714) 897-6161

1545 N. Batavia St., Orange

(714) 637-5555

9000 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine

(714) 581-2539

16841 Laguna Canyon Road, Irvine

(714) 727-3337

Rose Drive and Bastanchury Road, Yorba Linda

(714) 996-4443

On Bonita Canyon Road, one-half mile east of MacArthur Boulevard, Irvine

(714) 640-5909

1550 N. Batavia, Orange

(714) 637-5555

Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Prices: Sizes from 4 1/2 to 9 1/2 feet; $5 to $7 a foot; fire-retarding $2.50 a foot

Notes: 10-acre farm; customers may reserve trees for pickup later; staff cuts and ties on cars. Delivery available; fee based on tree size and distance. Free tree branches. Largest trees and selection at Garden Grove location.

PINES WEST

10701 Magnolia St., Stanton

(714) 527-7107

Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Friday; 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday

Prices: Sizes from 6 to 10 feet; all trees are $25 or less; fire-retarding $2.50 a foot.

Notes: 6 1/2-acre farm; live container trees at the same prices; staff cuts and will tie to car.

RICHFIELD PINES

5392 Richfield Road, Yorba Linda

(714) 528-4254

Hours: noon to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Prices: Sizes up to 24 feet; $5.50 a foot

Notes: 10-acre farm; staff cuts only; customers may reserve trees for pickup later; free coffee, candy canes for children.

SANTA’S FOREST CHRISTMAS

TREE FARM

1620 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim

(714) 776-8213

Hours: noon to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Prices: Sizes from 3 1/2 to 13 feet; $5 to $6 a foot, fire-retarding $2.50 a foot; compressing and netting for $2.50

Notes: 10-acre farm; customers may reserve trees for pickup later. Delivery available; fee based on tree size and distance. Live container trees. Free candy canes, baby trees for planting, coloring books, petting zoo and hay rides; photo corner for picture takers.

SANTA’S FOREST-YORBA LINDA

4501 Eureka Ave., Yorba Linda

(714) 993-3542

Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week

Prices: $5.50 a foot; flame-retarding $3 a foot; flocking $2 to $3 a foot

Notes: Five-acre farm, 3,000 trees. Delivery available; fee based on tree size and distance. Customers may reserve trees and pick up later. Customer may cut or staff will do so; tree disposal bags available.

WESTERN PINES CHRISTMAS TREES

7730 Western Ave., Buena Park

(714) 739-4492

Hours: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday; 8 a.m. until dark Saturday; 9 a.m. until dark Sunday

Prices: Sizes from 6 to 10 feet; $5 a foot; fire-retarding $2.50 a foot

Notes: 2 1/2-acre farm; live container trees at various prices; staff cut only.

WITTMAN’S CHRISTMAS TREES

7740 Stanton Ave., Buena Park

(714) 522-1600

Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Prices: Sizes from 2 to 15 feet; up to 7 to 8 feet $4 to $8 a foot; over 8 feet individually priced. Fire-retarding $3.50 a foot; flocking $3.50 a foot

Notes: Five-acre farm; individually-priced live container trees; free tree branches and candy canes.