Where Can You Buy a Real Christmas Tree in the Southwest Suburbs?

WOODRIDGE, DARIEN & DOWNERS GROVE

Ide Christmas Tree Farm

WHERE: 1500 83rd St. 
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Sunday, Dec. 18
PRICE AND OTHER NOTEWORTHY NUMBERS: The farm offers 45,000 spruce and pine trees on a 35-acre property spanning Woodridge, Darien and Downers Grove. Trees cost $60 a piece and saws can be rented for $5; no credit cards accepted.
MORE INFO: Read a full story about Ide Christmas Tree Farm on Woodridge Patch, visit the farm's website, or call 630-743-4032

Puckerville Farms

WHERE: 13332 Bell Road
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily through Christmas Eve, Saturday, Dec. 24
PRICE AND OTHER NOTEWORTHY NUMBERS: Since 2004, the five-acre farm has sold fraser firs starting at $38 in price and ranging from 5- to 12-feet-tall in size.
MORE INFO: Read , visit its , or call 708-508-0906

Anderson Tree Farm

WHERE: 24031 W. Route 126, Plainfield
WHEN: Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through Christmas Eve, Saturday, Dec. 24
PRICE AND OTHER NOTEWORTHY NUMBERS: The 60-acre cut-your-own farm sells 2,500 trees annually, including balsam and Douglas firs and white pines at $5 a foot, as well as pre-cut fraser pines from $65 to $120. Other offerings include fresh wreaths and roping, free hot chocolate and popcorn, a petting zoo and a gift store.
MORE INFO: Visit Plainfield Patch's story on the farm, or call 815-436-2140

Garden Faire

WHERE: 5 S. Madison St.
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays through Friday, Dec. 23
PRICE AND OTHER NOTEWORTHY NUMBERS: Fraser firs range in price from $19.99 to $99 after rebate.
MORE INFO: Visit in Oswego Patch's places directory, visit the business' website or call 630-636-9125

The Illinois Christmas Tree Association makes these recommendations to keep your tree fresh and safe:

• If your tree is not freshly cut from a farm, trim one inch off the tree’s base. This allows the tree to take in water. If you don't do this, the base will seal up with sap within minutes.
• Immediately set your tree into the stand filled with warm tap water.
• Keep the tree away from heat and draft sources, such as fireplaces, radiators and television sets. Test light cords and connections before placing them on the tree to ensure they're in good working order and don’t have cracked or broken insulation or empty light sockets. Never leave the lights on when you go to bed or leave the house.
• The tree must be watered every day to keep it from drying out. A fresh tree can take several quarts of water each day if cared for properly.