CHRISTMAS TREE FARMS

Now that the Yuletide spirit has arrived, most of you will be bringing out Christmas paraphernalia and looking forward to--or dreading--the yearly hunt for a tree.

The seasonal ritual of shopping the myriad tree lots that have sprouted overnight all over the county’s parking lots. Every shade of green seems to be represented, as well as some colors not found in nature.

Not adventuresome enough? Well, how about chopping down your own tree? You can do just that at some of the tree farms listed below, all of which grow Monterey pines. Some also provide services such as home delivery and all of them will fireproof the tree for a fee and sell water stands to keep it fresh.

ANAHEIM

Santa’s Forest Christmas Tree Farm

1620 S. Anaheim Blvd.

(714) 776-8213

Hours: weekdays noon to 5 p.m. and weekends 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The trees at this 10-acre farm will range from 3 to 13 feet and sell for about $3.75 to $4.75 a foot--anything taller than 9 feet will sell for $49. Fireproofing is available for $2.50 per foot. Trees can also be compressed and netted for $2.50. Customers can reserve their trees. A number of container trees will also be sold--call farm for prices. Garlands, door sprays and tree saver will be available. Each customer will also receive a free baby tree that can be planted.

The farm will also have a number of attractions and free goodies for children, including a petting zoo, hayrides, candy cane and Christmas coloring books. Also, a photo backdrop has been set up for those with itchy shutter-fingers.

BUENA PARK

Western Pines Christmas Trees

7730 Western Ave.

(714) 739-4492

Hours: weekdays 10 a.m. to dusk, weekends 8 a.m. to dusk.

The trees at the 2 1/2-acre farm will range from 6 to 12 feet. Prices will vary from $15 to $100, depending on size and quality. Trees can be reserved by customers but can be cut down only by staff members. Also, a number of container trees will be available, ranging in height from 4 to 7 feet and generally selling for $5 a foot. Fireproofing is $2.50 per foot.

FOUNTAIN VALLEY

Lyon Christmas Tree Farms

8625 Slater Ave.

(714) 891-7639

Hours: weekdays noon to 9 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Customers at the approximately 10-acre site will be able to choose from about 2,000 Monterey Pines ranging in height from 5 to 12 feet. Trees will generally sell for $31.95, but some trees will be sold as $21.95 red-tag specials. Potted trees, which can be either planted or reused for subsequent Christmases, will also be available. These trees range from 3 to 7 feet and will sell for $7.95 to $79.95. Fireproofing is $5 per foot. Staff members will drill a hole in the base of the tree to accommodate the water stand.

GARDEN GROVE

Peltzer Pines Tree Farm

7596 Chapman Ave.

(714) 897-6161

Hours: weekdays 11:30 a.m. to dusk and weekends 9 a.m. to dusk.

Trees at 9-acre site are individually priced, but prices for the 6- to 11-footers will generally fall somewhere between $5.50 to $7 a foot. Customers can reserve trees for later pickup. Home delivery is also available on a first-come-first-served basis--minimum charge is $25, with rates increasing according to distance. All trees are staff-cut only. Fireproofing is available for $2 per foot.

HUNTINGTON BEACH

Lyon Christmas Tree Farms

7462 McFadden Ave.

(714) 891-7639

Hours: weekdays noon to 9 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The farm contains about 2,000 trees on approximately 10 acres. They generally range from 4 to 10 feet and will sell for $6 a foot. Trees will be fireproofed for $5 per foot. Plastic wrapping bags will also be on sale. Prices will range from $1.50 to $3, depending on size; coupons issued by the National Christmas Tree Growers Assn., which entitle holders to a free bag, were in the Nov. 19-25 issue of TV Guide. Staffers will drill a hole at the base of the tree to accommodate the water stand. Trees cannot be reserved. Customers can cut their trees down themselves or have staffers do the work for them.

IRVINE

Peltzer Pines Tree Farm 9801 S. Irvine Center Drive

(714) 380-7647

and

9000 S. Irvine Center Drive

(714) 851-2539

See Peltzer Pines Tree Farm in Garden Grove. ORANGE

Olde Tyme Christmas Tree Farm

1515 N. Main St.

(714) 974-6244 (Mark Wynn)

Hours: weekdays 11:30 a.m. to dusk and weekends 9 a.m. to dusk.

The trees on the approximately 4 1/2-acre site range from 3 to 13 feet and are priced on average at $4.75 per foot. Home delivery is available for $10. Trees can be fireproofed for $2.50 per foot. Customers can choose to cut down their own trees or have staffers do it for them. Trees can be reserved but must be picked up by Dec. 22. Free greens will be provided.

Peltzer Pines Tree Farm

1545 N. Batavia St.

(714) 637-5555

See Peltzer Pines Tree Farm in Garden Grove.

Batavia Pines

1550 N. Batavia St.

(714) 637-5555

Owned by Peltzer; see Peltzer Pines Tree Farm in Garden Grove. STANTON

Pines West

Magnolia Street at Cerritos Avenue

(714) 527-7107

Hours: weekdays 10 a.m. to dusk and weekends 8 a.m. to dusk.

Customers can find 6- to 12-footers on this 7-acre site. Prices will vary from $15 to $100, depending on the size and quality of the tree. Four- to 7-foot container trees will also sold for about $5 per foot. Trees can be fireproofed for $2.50 per foot. Trees are staff-cut only.

Lyon Christmas Tree Farms

10722 Magnolia Ave.

(714) 995-3032

See Lyon Christmas Tree Farms in Fountain Valley. WESTMINSTER

Lyon Christmas Tree Farms

7498 Garden Grove Blvd.

(714) 897-5634 or 891-7639

See Lyon Christmas Tree Farms in Huntington Beach. YORBA LINDA

Bailey-Findley Christmas Trees

18281 Bastanchury Road

(714) 970-0694

Hours: weekdays 3 p.m. to dusk and weekends from 8 a.m. to dusk.

About 1,000 trees are growing on this 3-acre farm. They range in height from about 5 to 9 feet and sell from $5 to $6 per foot, depending on size and quality. Trees will be fireproofed for $2 per foot; they can also be flocked here--the average price for this is $2 per foot. Home delivery is available for a minimum of $10 (more for long-distance delivery). Trees can be reserved. Customers can cut down the trees themselves or have the staff do it for them. Free trimmings will be provided.

Santa’s Forest Yorba Linda

4501 Eureka Ave.

(714) 993-3542

Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

The trees at this farm generally range from 5 to 8 1/2 feet and sell for $5.25 per foot. Customers can also find 6- to 9-foot container trees, ranging in price from $42.50 to $59.95, depending on size and quality. Two-foot table-top stone pines will also be available for $9.50 each. Home delivery is available; there’s a $15 minimum, with rates increasing depending on the distance. Trees can be fireproofed for $2.50 per foot. Customers can also have their trees flocked--prices per foot are $2 for light, $2.50 for medium and $3 for heavy flocking. Customers can reserve their trees. Tree preservatives, plastic wrapping bags and other specialty items also available.

Peltzer Pines

Corner of Rose Drive and Bastanchury Road

(714) 996-4443

See Peltzer Pines Tree Farm in Garden Grove.

Source: individual tree farms