Cutting our own Christmas tree has become a cherished family tradition. Every year we make the drive to Fillmore, CA, where local tree farms offer a pleasant outing and a wide selection of trees. Many farms grow Monterey pine and Leland cypress, and some will also bring in Noble firs from Oregon and Washington for those who prefer firs over pines.
Most tree farms supply basic cutting tools, usually blunt hand saws, but it pays to bring your own equipment if you can. We take a cordless reciprocating saw (commonly called a Sawzall) and sturdy gloves. The reciprocating saw saves a lot of effort—cutting a trunk while bent over at an awkward angle is much easier and faster than sawing by hand.
When using a recip saw, choose a blade long enough for the trunk and specifically designed for cutting wood. Wear gloves and long sleeves to protect your hands and arms from sap, needles, and rough bark, and to reduce the chance of blisters. Cutting at a slight downward angle instead of perfectly horizontal will help relieve pressure on the blade and let it cut more smoothly.
Always have someone steady the tree for you as you cut so it doesn’t fall unexpectedly. After you bring the tree home, make one final straight cut across the base; this fresh cut improves water uptake and helps the tree sit properly in the stand.
If you’re transporting the tree on the roof of your car or inside a vehicle, consider using a net to keep branches contained and to make handling easier. If you’re placing the tree in the bed of a pickup, a net is usually unnecessary.
Do you cut your own tree? What varieties are common where you live?