Denison · Texas
Elves Christmas Tree Farm and Pumpkin Patch
A family tree farm and pumpkin patch about an hour north of Dallas in Denison, where you ride a hayride out to a field of tagged Virginia pines and Leyland cypress, cut your own with a loaned bow saw, then warm up in the barn with hot apple cider or coffee by the fire, alongside a lot of pre-cut firs, on-site flocking, fresh wreaths, a gift shop, a maze, a farm zoo and weekday school tours.
At a glance
Your tree visit.
- Tree choices
- Cut your own · Pre-cut trees
- Tagged choose-and-cut trees
- Ask the farm; priced by the tag
Every cut-your-own tree is graded and priced individually on a two-part tag, so you know the price before you cut. The hayride, tree netting, shaking and wrapping are free, and the farm furnishes bow saws; hot apple cider and coffee in the barn are free too. Ask the farm for tree prices, pre-cut fir prices and flocking prices.
Prices & conditions ↓ - Visit times
Opens Friday, November 27 at 10am, no early sales. Opening day 10am–5pm; then Saturday 10am–5pm, Sunday 1pm–5pm and Monday–Friday 3pm–5pm, until sold out.
Full schedule ↓
Find your tree
Choose your Christmas tree.
Virginia pine is the main tree raised on the farm, and a few Leyland cypress grow in the field for variety. Each tree is priced individually: the farm grades it by height and shape and ties on a perforated two-part tag, so there is no guessing about how tall a tree is or what it costs. Larger perfect trees cost more than small imperfect ones, and the farm sometimes tucks a few bargains into the patch.
The farm is also a full-line tree lot, with pre-cut Fraser, Noble, Grand and Nordmann firs displayed in water to keep them fresh, and it flocks trees on site. A pre-cut or flocked tree is a separate choice from the trees you cut in the field.
Published varieties
- Virginia pine
- Leyland cypress
- Fraser fir (pre-cut)
- Noble fir (pre-cut)
- Grand fir (pre-cut)
- Nordmann fir (pre-cut)
Which variety suits your decorations?
General tree guidance; the farm’s selection, sizes and services are described above.
- Fraser fir
- Upward branches and good needle retention; firmer branches can suit heavier ornaments.
Learn more: University of Wisconsin Extension ↗ · National Christmas Tree Association ↗
Compare the options
Trees & prices.
Choose-and-cut trees are priced individually by the tag. The farm takes cash, personal checks and most credit cards with proper ID, but not American Express, and card payments carry a $5 minimum charge per transaction. Ask the farm for pre-cut fir, flocking and wreath prices.
| Selection & size | Price |
|---|---|
| Choose-and-cut Virginia pine or Leyland cypress | Ask the farm Each tree is graded and priced individually on a two-part tag; larger perfect trees cost more than small imperfect ones. |
| Pre-cut Fraser, Noble, Grand and Nordmann firs | Ask the farm A separate lot, displayed in water. |
| On-site flocking | Ask the farm A separate paid service; flocked trees need a few days to dry. |
| Hayride, tree netting, shaking and wrapping | Free There is no charge for the hayride, tree netting or tree shaking, and the farm shakes and wraps each tree free. |
| Bow saws | Furnished by the farm Borrow one in the field to cut your own tree. |
| Hot apple cider or coffee in the barn | Free Served by a warm fire. |
| School tour, per person | $8 Groups of 20 or more on weekdays by appointment; one teacher is free per class of 20 or more. |
| Credit card minimum | $5 minimum per card transaction Cash and personal checks are also accepted. |
Choose and cut Virginia pine and Leyland cypress
A hayride takes you out into the fields and brings you and your tree back. You do not need a chainsaw, an axe or your own saw: the farm furnishes bow saws, and you cut your own tree. Every tree carries a two-part tag, and the farm grades each one so the price per foot is set before you start.
Back at the barn the farm shakes and cleans your tree, wraps it and nets it, all free. Ask the farm for the current price per foot.
| Step | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Get to the field | Free hayride into the fields and back with your tree. |
| Choose | Virginia pine is the main tree; a few Leyland cypress grow for variety. Each tree has a two-part tag. |
| Cut | The farm furnishes bow saws; you do not need to bring a chainsaw, an axe or other saws. |
| Shake and wrap | The farm shakes and cleans each tree and wraps it, with no charge. |
| Net | Tree netting is free. |
| Price per foot | Ask the farm. |
Pre-cut firs and on-site flocking
The tree lot carries pre-cut Fraser fir, brought in fresh each year, along with Noble, Grand and Nordmann firs, which the farm describes as its highest quality pre-cut trees. All of them are displayed in water to keep them fresh. Ask the farm for sizes and prices.
The farm flocks Noble, Fraser and Nordmann firs on site, and can flock any tree bought from the farm; there are usually several flocked trees ready to take home the same day. A tree picked out green has to be left to dry for a few days after flocking, so you come back to pick it up. Flocked wreaths are made to match the trees. Ask the farm for flocking prices.
| Selection | What to know |
|---|---|
| Fraser fir | Brought in fresh and displayed in water. |
| Noble fir, Grand fir, Nordmann fir | Pre-cut and displayed in water; ask the farm for sizes and prices. |
| Flocking | Done on site for Noble, Fraser and Nordmann firs and for any tree bought at the farm; green trees need a few days to dry after flocking. Ask the farm for prices. |
| Flocked wreaths | Made to match flocked trees. |
Season dates and hours
Tree sales open on Friday, November 27 at 10am, with trees to cut and pre-cut trees both on hand. The farm does not sell trees or tag them early. After opening day the hours are Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sunday 1pm to 5pm and Monday through Friday 3pm to 5pm, and the farm stays open until the trees are sold out.
Outside the season the farm takes appointments for tours, birthday parties, reunions and other functions. Ask the farm for a last day.
| When | Hours | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, November 27 (opening day) | 10am–5pm | Trees to cut and pre-cut trees; no early sales or tree tagging. |
| Saturdays after opening day | 10am–5pm | |
| Sundays after opening day | 1pm–5pm | |
| Monday–Friday after opening day | 3pm–5pm | |
| Last day | Until sold out | Ask the farm. |
Hot cider, the maze and the farm zoo
When you come back with your tree, the barn has complimentary hot apple cider or coffee beside a warm fire, and the farm lists a picnic area with tables, a 50 by 50 foot wooden maze for kids and adults, a gaga pit for gaga ball and a farm zoo among what is on hand for visitors. The farm zoo has horses, chickens, goats, Kune Kune pigs and rabbits.
A wood carver is on site most of the time on weekends during the Christmas season. The farm is 75 acres, so bring a camera.
| Extra | Details |
|---|---|
| Hayride | Free; takes you into the fields and back with your tree. |
| Hot apple cider or coffee | Free in the barn by a warm fire. |
| Maze | A 50 by 50 foot wooden maze for kids and adults. |
| Farm zoo | Horses, chickens, goats, Kune Kune pigs and rabbits; ask the farm which animals are out in tree season. |
| Gaga pit | A pit for playing gaga ball. |
| Wood carver | On site most of the time on weekends during the Christmas season. |
| Picnic area | Picnic area with tables; tour groups tell the farm when they book so tables can be set aside. |
Wreaths, gifts and the craft barn
Fresh wreaths are made daily, and you can watch them being made. The gift shop and craft barn sell handmade arts and crafts, gifts, quality tree stands and other holiday things, plus snacks and drinks, and the flocked trees stand on display in the gift shop. Ask the farm for wreath, stand and gift prices.
The farm has supplied Christmas trees for the Texas House of Representatives and the Texas Senate floor, and a farm tree has stood at the State Fair of Texas.
Christmas school tours
Christmas field trips run on weekdays for school children, beginning the week after Thanksgiving, and reservations are required. The tour covers how Christmas trees grow, a hayride to the patch to visit the trees, a picnic (tell the farm when you book so it can reserve tables), the maze and a visit with the farm zoo. Groups of 20 or more can book on weekdays by appointment, and one teacher is free per class of 20 or more.
Ask the farm for the minimum group size when you book.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | $8 per person |
| Who | School groups on weekdays by appointment only; one teacher free per class of 20 or more |
| Starts | The week after Thanksgiving |
| Includes | Lesson on how Christmas trees grow, hayride to the patch, picnic, maze and farm zoo visit |
| Picnic tables | Tell the farm when you book so tables can be reserved |
| Group size minimum | Ask the farm |
Getting there and practical details
The farm is about one hour north of Dallas, between Highway 75 and Highway 289 on FM 120. From Highway 75 in Denison, take exit 69 and turn left (west) on FM 120, go 1.6 miles, then turn left (south) at the sign on the south side of the road and go half a mile to the farm. From Highway 289 north to Pottsboro, turn right on FM 120 east, go about 4 miles to Harvey Lane, then turn right (south) at the sign and go half a mile. The farm lists drive times of 25 minutes from Durant, 30 minutes from Gainesville and McKinney, 45 to 50 minutes from Plano, and about an hour from Dallas, Denton and Atoka.
Professional photography is not allowed during the tree-selling season, but personal photos are welcome. A clean restroom with a baby changing table is on the farm, and there is plenty of parking. Ask the farm about pets, wagon and stroller access, rain plans and refunds.
| Topic | At the farm |
|---|---|
| Address | 601 Harvey Lane, Denison, TX 75020 |
| Parking | Plenty of parking |
| Restroom | Clean restroom with a baby changing table |
| Photography | Personal photos welcome; no professional photography during tree season |
| Payment | Cash, personal checks (including checks from out of the area) and most credit cards with proper ID; no American Express; $5 minimum charge on cards |
| Pets, rain plans, refunds, accessibility | Ask the farm |
The farm, the family and contacts
Marshall and Sharlote Cathey run the farm, a family tradition in North Texas for more than three decades. The farm also runs a pumpkin patch on October weekends, a separate season with its own hours.
Call the farm at (903) 463-7260 for general questions, tour bookings and current hours on the voicemail, or email elves@elvesfarm.com; the farm answers its phone more quickly than email in season.
Pick your day
Dates & hours.
Tree season: Opens Friday, November 27, until sold out
The farm opens for trees at 10am on Friday, November 27, the day after Thanksgiving, with no early sales and no early tree tagging. After opening day the hours are Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sunday 1pm to 5pm and Monday through Friday 3pm to 5pm, and the farm stays open until the trees are sold out. Ask the farm for a last day.
| Christmas tree season | Hours |
|---|---|
| Friday, November 27 (opening day) | 10am–5pm; trees to cut and pre-cut trees; no early sales |
| Saturdays after opening day | 10am–5pm |
| Sundays after opening day | 1pm–5pm |
| Monday–Friday after opening day | 3pm–5pm |
| School tours | Weekdays by reservation, beginning the week after Thanksgiving |
| Closing day | Open until sold out; ask the farm for a last day |
Trees are not sold before opening day.
Before you go.
- Opens Friday, November 27 at 10am; Saturday 10am–5pm, Sunday 1pm–5pm, Monday–Friday 3pm–5pm, until sold out. No early sales.
- Choose-and-cut Virginia pine and Leyland cypress, priced on the tag by height and shape; the hayride, tree netting, shaking and wrapping are free, and the farm furnishes bow saws. Ask the farm for the price per foot.
- Pre-cut Fraser, Noble, Grand and Nordmann firs and on-site flocking are a separate choice; ask the farm for prices.
- Weekday Christmas school tours are $8 per person by reservation.
- No professional photography during tree season; cash, checks and most cards with ID, with a $5 minimum charge on cards.
- Call (903) 463-7260 or email elves@elvesfarm.com.
601 Harvey Lane, Denison, TX 75020
Keep exploring
Other farms to compare.
Crowley, Texas
Haynie's Green Acres Christmas Tree FarmTexas-grown Blue Ice and Carolina Sapphire trees in the field with free saws and weekend hayrides, plus precut Fraser fir starting at $49.99 for a tabletop tree. Opens Friday, November 27: Monday–Friday 2pm–5pm, Saturday 9am–5pm, Sunday 12pm–5pm, until sold out; admission is free.
Greenville, Texas
Kadee Christmas Tree FarmSelect and cut your own Virginia pine in the field with a saw the farm provides; a field tree is $60 minimum, and imported precut firs run from tabletop to 14 or 16 feet. Open Saturday, November 21 through Saturday, December 19: weekdays 2pm–8pm, weekends 10am–8pm; the field closes at 5pm.
Brownsboro, Texas
Native Branch Christmas Tree FarmWalk the rows and cut your own Virginia pine; trees from 5 to 8.5 feet run $55 to $102 and go up from there for taller trees. Open Black Friday through the third Sunday after Thanksgiving (November 27 to December 13), Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays; admission is free.