Shopping for Christmas trees begins around Thanksgiving for most Whatcom County families, and here's our annual list of u-cut and we-cut farms in the area. Be sure to call ahead as winter weather can affect business hours.

Remember that through Dec. 24, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest is selling permits to cut Christmas trees. Cutting areas are in national forest lands in the eastern portions of Whatcom County, as well as in Skagit County. Maps and information about cutting areas are provided where permits are sold, including at the Mount Baker Ranger stations on Highway 20 in Sedro-Woolley (360-856-5700, ext. 515) and the Glacier Public Service Center on Mount Baker Highway (360-599-27140).

- Alpine Meadows Tree Farm

3585 Highway 9, five miles south of Deming

360-595-1019, alpinemeadowstreefarm.com

Cut-n-grow free seedling event; check website for details.

Open Nov. 23-Dec. 22, 9 a.m. to dusk, closed Sundays.

U-cut, pre-cut and live potted trees: Douglas fir, Grand fir, Fraser fir, Noble fir and Nordmann fir.

Also, wreaths, garlands, holly and cones. Saws and kneepads provided, or bring your own (no power saws). Tree shaking and baling available; loading assistance and twine if needed. Free hot chocolate, coffee and doughnuts. Restrooms provided; 100-acre farm to enjoy a walk.

- Carl's Choose-N-Cut

2220 Zell Road, Ferndale

360-384-0799, on Facebook

Open Nov. 23-Dec. 24, dawn to dusk

U-cut: Grand firs, Douglas fir, Nordmanns.

Saws provided; candy canes for the kids.

- Cora and Joe's U Cut

871 Telegraph Road, Bellingham

360-734-3488

Open Nov. 23-Dec. 24, 8 a.m. to dark

Douglas fir, Grand fir, Noble fir, Frasier fir, pine and fresh wreaths daily.

Cookies, hot apple cider, and candy canes for the children.

Tools available: saws, kneepads and free bailing.

- Crabtree's Christmas Trees

329 W. Hemmi Road, Bellingham

360-393-2794

Nov. 27-Dec. 22, noon to 4 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends.

U-cut, we-cut Serbian spruce, Frasier fir, Canaan fir.

Hot beverages and cookies, and candy canes. New saws and twine.

- Fullner Christmas Tree Farm

3783 E. Hoff Road, Everson

360-592-5820

Nov. 22-Dec. 24, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Scavenger hunt, heated barn, free hot drinks and candy canes.

- Kelly Road Christmas Tree Farm

1129 E. Kelly Road, between Hannegan and Noon roads.

360-510-9198, kellyrdtreefarm.com

Saturdays and Sundays only, Nov. 24- Dec. 16, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

U-cut, we-cut Noble fir, Frasier fir, Douglas fir, Silver fir, Nordmann fir and "Charlie Brown" pre-cut trees.

Holiday gift shop, refreshments, saws, kneeling pads, twine, help securing trees to vehicles. Restroom available.

- Manthey's Christmas Treeland

773 W. Axton Road, Bellingham

360-384-0522

Nov. 23-Dec. 23, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily.

U-cut, pre-cut and live Douglas fir, Noble fir, Nordmann fir, Grand fir, Canaan fir, pines and spruces.

Wreaths, crosses, swags, and garlands

Saws provided; baling available. Free coffee, spiced cider, hot chocolate, candy canes and a cookie.

- Misty Meadows Farm

6197 Everson-Goshen Road, Everson

360-312-3554, mistymeadowsfarm.com and on Facebook

Nov. 23-Dec. 24, 9 a.m. to dusk, daily.

U-cut, we-cut, certified organic Christmas trees, $30 any size.

Saws and kneeling pads provided.

- Noon Road Trees

7188 Noon Road, Everson

360-354-8689, noonroadtrees.com

Nov. 23-Dec. 24, 8 a.m.-dark, daily

U-cut trees: Canaan, Douglas, Grand, Noble, Nordmann and Turkish firs; Colorado Blue, Norway and White spruce; Western white pine.

Help with cutting and loading, saws, tree-hauling carts, twine, candy canes.

- Ol Man Miller's Farm

2570 Brown Road, Ferndale

Nov. 24-Dec. 23, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

U-cut Noble, Nordmann firs; $35 any size.

Saws provided.

- Olason U-Cut Christmas Trees

4352 Sweet Road, Blaine

360-371-3315

Nov. 24-Dec. 22, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. weekends

Six varieties, medium to large: Nobles, Balsam, Grand, Fraser, Canaan and Douglas firs; $20 each, other varieties $30.

Hand saws available. Ready-to-decorate large wreaths.

- River's Edge U-Cut Christmas Tree Farm

4773 Deming Road, Deming

360-592-5220, riversedgeucut.com

Nov. 23-Dec. 24, 9 a.m. to dark daily

U-cut Noble, Grand and Fraser firs; also pre-cut Douglas firs; live trees, garlands, wreaths, swags, holly, tree stands, tree waterers.

Coffee and Cocoa Café, trees brought in from the field; wagon rides out to the field Dec. 1-2 and 8-9; saws and kneeling pads; free candy canes.

- Small's Northwest Evergreens U-Cut Trees

6480 Northwest Road, Ferndale

360-384-0438, 360-393-9039, on Facebook

Nov. 23-Dec. 22, 9 a.m. to dusk daily

Douglas, Grand, Noble and Nordmann firs.

Wreaths, crosses and swags.

We supply saws and something to kneel on. Gift shop and free coffee, cider, popcorn and candy canes.

- Shady Pond Tree Farm

3289 H Street Road, Blaine

360-332-2489 or 360-303-0166

Dec. 1-Dec. 24, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, and by appointment.

U-cut and we-cut Noble, Nordmann, Grand, Douglas, Balsam and Shasta firs; blue spruce.

Saws and shaker available. Candy canes for kids. Tree lot also at Pizza Factory parking lot in Blaine, 738 Peace Portal Drive.

- Sisters Christmas Tree Farm

3771 Highway 9, Deming

360-739-465, on Facebook

Nov. 24-Dec. 16, 1-5 p.m. Fridays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sundays

U-cut Douglas, Nordmann, Fraser and Noble firs, and wreaths.

Hot chocolate, cider, homemade cookies (free after tree hunting!). Saws are provided, along with tree baling ($2), and a warm fire.

Hand-crafted items in the Sisters Shoppe.

- Stoney Ridge Farm

2092 Van Dyk Road, Everson

360-966-3919,stoneyridgefarm.com

Nov. 23-24, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Nov. 29-30, noon-5 p.m.; Dec.1, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Dec.6-7, noon-5 p.m.; and Dec. 8, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Fraser, Noble, Douglas, Nordmann and Grand firs, u-cut or we-cut.

Custom wreaths and garlands, apple pie, and pumpkin doughnuts. Free hot chocolate and coffee with tree purchase. Live animal nativity featuring Moses the Camel. Shaking, baling, saws and string available.

- Tom's/Roberts U-Cut Trees (Robert's U-Cut now selling trees from Tom's U-Cut)

4204 Hoff Road, Bellingham

360-756-9473, e-mail: mary98225@msn.com

Nov. 23-Dec. 24, 9 a.m.-dusk, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays only (and Dec. 24)

U-cut Douglas, Grand and Canaan firs. Cost: $27 to $35, includes sales tax. Large tree stands for sale/

Saws and twine provided. Cookies, hot chocolate.

- Vedder's Edge Tree Farm

5569 Rock Road, Sumas

360-988-7416, 360-510-9129

Nov. 24-Dec. 18, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily, but closed Tuesdays.

U-cut, we-cut. Handsaws and tree wheel-barrels available.

Frasier, Noble, Nordmann, Grand, Concolor firs, 5 feet and up, $25 to $45.

Candy canes.