Bollinger Farms

Choose and cut Scotch pine, and the Pre-Cut Forest

Bollinger Farms has planted a variety of Christmas trees, and Scotch pine is ready for harvest this season. It has a beautiful deep green color, strong horizontal branches, a very pleasant scent and excellent needle retention. You go to the field, pick your tree and cut it down. White pine, Canaan fir and Black Sea fir are also growing on the farm but are not yet ready for harvest.

The Pre-Cut Forest has trees brought in from other parts of the country. Last season it held Fraser fir from 6 feet to under 12 feet and Douglas fir from 7 feet to under 11 feet, and this season’s species are not yet confirmed. Trees are priced by the tree or by the foot; ask the farm for this season’s prices and Pre-Cut Forest species. Stands are sold in the gift shop.

Early Tree Tagging on November Saturdays

The Early Tree Tagging Program lets you claim a Scotch pine before the crowds. On Saturdays in November before Thanksgiving, stop at the gift shop for a ribbon and a bow, giving your contact information. Pick a tree in the field, wrap the ribbon once around the middle of the tree and tie it with a solid knot, then attach the bow. Tell a farm employee to add sold tags, and take the lower tear-off portion of the sold tag to the gift shop to pay.

Pick up your tree during normal business hours on November 27–28, December 3–5 or December 10–12: check in at the gift shop, then cut down and take home your reserved tree. All tree sales are final, with no refunds. The farm does its best to keep your tree from being cut by someone else and will make it right in the rare case that happens.

• Early Tree Tagging Program ↗

Season calendar and hours

Regular business hours are 10am to 4:30pm. The gift shop opens on Saturdays in November starting November 7, though fresh trees and wreaths are not yet available then. Fresh trees and wreaths arrive on Friday, November 27, while supplies last, and from then on the farm is open Thursdays through Saturdays until the last day, Saturday, December 19. The farm is closed on Thanksgiving Day.

The farm’s annual craft fair is held on the first Saturday in November, before tree sales begin. The farm can also be booked for photography sessions or field trips on request. Ask the farm for any change to the calendar.

Santa Day, Appreciation Thursdays and giving back

On Saturday, December 12, Santa is scheduled to visit from 10am to 2pm, and the gift shop bakes fresh cinnamon rolls, available while they last. The farm donates 10% of all gift shop sales that day to a local charity, the Southeast Missouri Family Violence Council, and collects tips and donations for it.

On Thursdays, December 3, 10 and 17, Appreciation Day brings 20% off for veterans and military service members, emergency personnel, senior citizens (65 and older), teachers and nurses. Show a valid ID at checkout. The discount applies to all purchases; ask the farm whether trees are included. The farm also sells Trees for Troops Bears and donates 100% of the profit, and accepts donations. If you belong to the Missouri Farm Bureau Insurance rewards program, you may be able to get your tree reimbursed by sending your receipt and the rewards form to Farm Bureau; that is arranged with Farm Bureau, not the farm.

Online ornaments, embroidery and the farm store

Bollinger Farms’ online store sells specialty ornaments, including this season’s scripture ornament, Psalm 46:10, along with earlier years’ designs, military and school mascot ornaments, mulling spice and coffee. Orders over 12 or outside the lower 48 states are handled by email request; the farm sends its payment request only after you contact it.

LaDonna’s embroidery shop, Grace By Morning, makes custom stockings, shirts, aprons, towels, blankets, business logos and personalized gifts on the farm. Order by phone at 573-614-1391 or by email at bollingerfarms.org@gmail.com; ask for prices.

• Farm online store ↗

Wreath decorating classes and private parties

Wreath decorating classes are $42.50 per person and run Tuesday, November 24 and Monday, November 30 at 6:30pm. The fee includes a fresh wreath, a decorative bow, decorations, a bow-making demonstration with ideas and techniques, a hot apple cider and hot cocoa bar, and 10% off gift shop purchases during the class. Classes are limited to 11 people and need pre-registration.

Both scheduled classes and all private party dates have sold out, and the farm is considering more dates that are not yet confirmed. Private parties of 6 to 11 can be booked by contacting the farm, with treats included. Email bollingerfarms.org@gmail.com to ask about new openings.

• Wreath decorating classes ↗

Photography sessions and field trips

Photographers can book the farm for a session, separate from a tree visit: $60 for 1 hour, $110 for 2 hours, $200 for up to 4 hours or $350 for up to 8 hours, with extra time at $60 an hour. Prepay at least 48 hours ahead, request a slot, read the guidelines, sign the Agreement Request Form and show proof of insurance, or sign the Hold Harmless Agreement if you are an amateur. January to October sessions run Monday through Saturday, 8:30am to 4:30pm, and final slots begin at 3:30pm. Once tree weeks begin, the choose-and-cut fields are not available for photos on Fridays and Saturdays, and Sundays are not available; ask the farm which early-week days are open. Casual selfies are welcome. Family dogs and cats are allowed only for scheduled sessions.

School and group field trips can be arranged on request; the farm has hosted field trips for local schools and a homeschool group. Ask the farm about group pricing and booking.

• Photography and videography ↗

Loading, farm rules, directions and contacts

Bollinger Farms staff will help move your tree to your vehicle or a loading zone, but because of liability, you place the tree on or in your vehicle yourself. Tie it down in at least two places with the trunk end toward the front. Ratchet straps are for sale at the gift shop and twine is free. To keep your tree fresh, store it in a cool, shaded place, make a fresh half-inch to one-inch cut if more than two or three hours have passed since it was cut, water it daily, keep it away from heat, turn the lights off when you are away and recycle it afterward.

The farm asks visitors to keep vehicles on designated areas and roads, to leave farm equipment alone, and not to smoke, vape or use alcohol or drugs. No fake snow or confetti. Pets are not welcome on regular visit days. This is a working farm with uneven ground, ruts, mud, water areas, rock bluffs, livestock fencing, ticks, snakes and wildlife, and visitors accept those risks. Ask the farm about restrooms, parking, accessibility and in-person payment methods.

The farm is at 15580 Hwy. D, along the county line near the western edge of Ste. Genevieve County, about 10 minutes north of Farmington and 10 minutes east of Park Hills, Desloge and Bonne Terre, and roughly an hour south of St. Louis. From Farmington, go north on Highway D for 8 miles. From Park Hills, take Highway O east, then north on Highway D for 3 miles. From Bonne Terre, take Highway K east, then south on Highway D for 2 miles. Call the farm at (573) 366-1758 during business hours, or email bollingerfarms.org@gmail.com for classes, private parties and photography.

About the farm

Troy and LaDonna Bollinger planted the first trees at Bollinger Farms more than a decade ago. Bollinger Farms is a faith-centered family farm with the motto “We’re keeping Christ in Christmas!” Troy Bollinger serves as state president of the Missouri Christmas Tree Association, and the farm belongs to the Mid-America Christmas Tree Association, Trees For Troops, Missouri Grown, Missouri Farm Bureau and the Southeast Missouri Family Violence Council.