KENTUCKY — For many Kentuckians, the Christmas season doesn't officially begin until the tree goes up, though some may disagree about appropriate timing for such an event.

Artificial Christmas trees are easy and ever-popular, but the Yuletide desire to bring home a real Christmas tree has persisted throughout the years. In Kentucky, there are a host of places around the state to get your best Clark Griswold-inspired fir, spruce or pine.

Nieman's Christmas Tree Farm

Lexington, Ky. | Open weekends throughout November and December

  • Open now for pre-selection by appointment only
  • Known for their wide selection of fraser fir trees
  • Cash or check only, credit cards are not accepted
  • Call 859-552-3532 for appointments or more information

Barker's Christmas Tree Farm

Lexington, Ky. | Open Nov. 25–27, Dec. 3–4

  • Offers white pine and canaan fir trees
  • Cut-your-own, saws and tree wagons are provided
  • Reservations are needed, and only cash or check are accepted
  • Call 859-333-7213 for more information

Shelby Christmas Tree Farm

Shelbyville, Ky. | Open Dec. 3 with advance appointment

  • All trees are $100, and some are up to 9 feet tall
  • Scotch, white and Austrian pine; Blue and Norway spruce varieties
  • Help cutting and hauling is available if requested
  • Reservations can be made by phone or on Facebook

Tom Mitts Christmas Trees

Newport, Ky. | Open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

  • Trees start at $42.95, priced according to size
  • Fraser fir, spruce and white pine available
  • Offers free tree netting and a cash discount
  • Delivery is available for the northern Kentucky area

Gubser Tree Farm

Alexandria, Ky. | Open weekends after Thanksgiving

  • Trees start at $60, wreaths also available
  • Scotch pine are choose-and-cut, Fraser fir are pre-cut
  • All sales are cash or check only
  • Limited hours Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Greenfield Christmas Tree Farm

Princeton, Ky. | Open starting Saturday, Nov. 26

  • Wide selection of pre-cut firs for a low as $70
  • Cut-your-own cedars also available
  • Reservations can be made on Facebook

Bare Creek Tree Farm

Bowling Green, Ky. | Open weekends starting Black Friday

  • Pre-cut Fraser firs range from $75-$220
  • No cut-your-own options available this year
  • Card and cash payments are accepted
  • Details on reservations and availability are on Facebook

Werkmeister Christmas Tree Farm

Shepherdsville, Ky. | Opening Thanksgiving weekend

  • Pre-cut and cut-your-own firs are available
  • Prices vary according to size
  • Cash or check are preferred, credit payments are charged sales tax
  • Call 502-543-6084 or visit their Facebook page for more details