The Fresh-Cut (& Most Common) Christmas Tree:

Fresh-Cut Christmas Trees are the most traditional Christmas Tree and the most common Christmas Tree type when dealing with “non-artificial” trees. They come in all kinds of varieties, shapes, and sizes, and most all of them are full of that perfect, evergreen fragrance! Come see us: 6932 N 95th St Niwot, CO 80504.

Fun Facts:

• A Fresh-Cut Christmas Tree is a renewable resource.
• Real trees will never contribute to long-term plastic waste.
• Real trees sequester carbon as they grow and give us abundant oxygen.
• Real Christmas Trees are a farmed crop, grown specifically for harvesting.
• Every Fresh-Cut Tree harvested will have two to three seedlings planted in its place.
• Even after use, real trees can be recycled into mulch, compost, or used for habitat projects.
• A consumer must reuse an artificial tree for more than a decade before it has a lower carbon footprint than a real tree.
• It can take as many as 12 years to grow a tree of average retail sales height (6 feet), but the average growing time is 7 years.
• There are 15,000 Christmas Tree growers in North America, and over 100,000 people employed full or part-time in the industry.
• There are 1 million acres in production for growing Christmas trees. Each acre provides the daily oxygen requirements of 18 people.

How do I choose one?

Choose from a tree that grows naturally in Colorado’s climate, or from a more traditional style of tree that grew in a neighboring state. Native, Fresh-Cut Christmas Trees include Concolor Fir, some Douglas Fir, Scotch Pine, White Pine, and all Spruce varieties. Non-native, Fresh-Cut Christmas Tree types include Fraser, Noble, Nordman, and Balsam Fir. Sometimes people are concerned about choosing a tree that wasn’t grown specifically in Colorado; however certain climates around the country are more apt to produce a more viable and less costly tree. These trees are grown in soils that lack specific nutrients for growing other crops and other harvests, but which are perfect for growing a Christmas Tree. Since these trees have been planted with the sole purpose to be cut down and set up inside your home, there is no need for these trees to be grown locally. And some of the most popular varieties, like Fraser Fir for example, do not grow in Colorado and, thus, have to be out-sourced.

Will they last?

Our Fresh-Cut Trees, whether you choose Native or non-Native, will last into the New Year as long as they are cared for properly. Please consult our Christmas Tree Care Guide for instructions on how you can give these trees their best chance!

Which varieties of Fresh-Cut Trees do we sell?

We carry the following Fresh-Cut Tree varieties: Fraser Fir, Noble Fir, Nordman Fir, Douglas Fir, Balsam Fir, Grand Fir, Concolor Fir, Scotch Pine, and White Pine.

Approximate Price Range:

Prices will vary tree to tree as everything is priced individually and tagged on the tree. However, our range of pricing is between $80-$650, with the most commonly sold trees at 6 to 8 feet tall, averaging between $190-300.

The Living Christmas Tree:

Living Christmas Trees will ONLY be available at our Niwot Christmas Tree Lot.

For more than 10 years, we’ve operated two lots during Christmas: One at our Tree Nursery in Boulder, and one in Niwot, ten minutes North of Boulder. In 2018, we were over capacity during Christmas at our Boulder Lot (you guys are the best!)…and thus, due to parking constraints + safe operating practices, we chose to move our entire Boulder Christmas Tree lot to our 28 acre Niwot facility. Come see us: 6932 N 95th St Niwot, CO 80504.

Fun Facts:

• • Living Trees not only provide seasonal enjoyment inside your home, but they’re an added investment to your outdoor landscape!
  • They’re an environmentally green choice.
  • They’re a great way to build traditions and memories with your family that can be enjoyed long after you purchase and plant it.
  • Many families plant a new tree each year and love watching it grow with the family.

How do I choose one?

Unlike the Fresh-Cut type of Christmas Tree, we limit Living Christmas Trees to varieties that will thrive in Colorado. Therefore, you will not see varieties of Fir, such as the Fraser, Noble, & Balsam, being offered as a Live Tree. We want you to have a tree that lives for generations to come, so we will only sell you a variety that it a proven winner in our harsh & ever-changing Colorado climate.

Will they last?

While some people have had great success placing their Living Tree indoors for a month or more, we recommend limiting its time indoors to three weeks or less. Any longer and the tree might start to re-bud and “change seasons.” Even so, our Living Trees, if watered and then planted properly, will last a lifetime. Though anything can happen to a Living Tree that has to survive all the elements, these trees are grown and harvested for the long haul. We are happy to give you long term advice and the proper planting and watering instructions to ensure your success. And, all our trees come with a 1 year, 50% warranty. No exclusions! Click Here for more details.

Which varieties of Living Trees do we sell?

We carry the following Living Tree varieties, subjected to availability: Colorado Spruce (blue and green), Norway Spruce, White Spruce, Columnar Spruce, Serbian Spruce, Dwarf Blue Spruce (such as Bakeri, Fat Albert, Baby Blue Eyes, Hoopsi, + Blue Diamond), Ponderous Pine, Austrian Pine, White Pine, and a few Upright Juniper varieties.

Approximate Price Range:

Prices will vary tree to tree as everything is priced individually by variety and size. However, the range of pricing is between $59-$699, with the most commonly sold trees at 3-6 feet tall, averaging $199 to $599. (To note: The pot they come in will add 8 to 18 inches to their height. Traditionally in our home, we place a 6′ live trees on a crate or box to take full advantage of the height the pot adds. This brings the tree to approximately 8 feet, which looks amazing.)

Important facts when using Living Trees as your Christmas Tree.

• • You must care for the Living Tree according to our care instructions. Please ask if you are unsure about how to care for your tree. We are happy to help!

  • A Living Tree will be heavier than any cut or artificial tree as it still contains its root system.
  • A Living Tree will usually be shorter because most families cannot handle the weight of the larger trees. As these trees have their root-system, they also have a bucket containing them. This adds quite a bit of weight, which will increase as the tree gets taller. Most families choose a Living Christmas Tree that is between 3′ and 8′ tall including the pot. Once planted in the ground, these trees will be a bit shorter.
  • It is a good idea to plan how you will get a tree with the average weight of 100 lbs in and out of your home. In many cases, it can take up to two strong individuals to lift the tree, or it can be drug by the bucket using a tarp.

  • Typically people decorate the buckets (such as with fabric, a skirt, or burlap) and keep some sort of tray under the tree to catch extra moisture from your waterings.

The Cut-Your-Own “Experience” Christmas Tree:

Fun Facts:

• We are the only Tree Farm in Colorado that not only grows our own trees to cut, but who also brings in trees (some local, some non-native), to plant in our fields just so you can cut them down!
• It’s been fifteen years since we started the Cut-Your-Own “Experience,” which means thousands of families have made this one of their most favorite Christmas traditions.
• It’s best experienced after dark, wearing a headlamp, ready with your bow saw.
• No appointment necessary.
• All dogs welcome! Leashes are required and please clean up after them.

CREEKSIDE’S CHRISTMAS TREE “FOREST”:

This 2025 Christmas Season marks our 15th year of the CreekSide Cut-Your-Own “Experience!” And while we’ve had fabulous success and joy in doing it with thousands of happy customers, we want to be crystal clear as to HOW we do this.  Trust us, we LOVE a good Charlie Brown Christmas Tree, but sometimes you just want something…more. So here are the facts, explained in detail:

Most of your favorite Christmas Trees are non-native.

Many of the most popular Fir tree varieties do NOT successfully grow in Colorado, so we must source them from out of state. We have highly reputable growers in both Michigan and Oregon, and love our Fresh-Cut Tree Farmers! As a full-scale, year-round Tree Nursery, we pride ourselves in the quality of our trees, and it’s why our trees aren’t ever available much before Thanksgiving. We want them as fresh as possible. We are not a pop-up-lot who sells trees as an accessory to their core business: Trees are our LIFE. And we maintain to have the best of the best we can find, grow, and sell to you! And to be assuredly clear, we do NOT have the same suppliers as any of the local, big-box, chain retailers. We’re TREE people. And this is our specialty! Regarding the “Cut-Your-Own ‘Experience’,” we bring in freshly harvested, pre-cut trees–both from in-state and out-of-state sources–and “plant” them into our fields solely for the “experience” of cutting them down. While it is true that these trees do not have roots because they are not actively “growing” there, they are very freshly-cut and, with proper care, will last well through the holiday season. This method allows us to quickly replenish our Cut-Your-Own “Experience” trees to ensure a better supply to the “experience” without waiting for a tree to grow over many years. =)

So why even do it if it’s technically already cut?

Well, do it because it’s fun! Or because it’s closer to home than driving into the mountains. Do it because for every tree cut, three more are planted in its place, so it’s environmentally conscious. Or do it because you can get a premium Fir tree this year and not have to settle for a pokey-Pine or see-through Fir. But you could also do it because your children will thank you for spending more time with them on an easy hike than all the hours it takes to drive into the mountains with a permit. Or don’t do it. Heading into the mountains for tradition is always an option! We realize our set-up is not for everyone and we are TOTALLY okay with that. We love all that mountain air too. Whatever you do, just keep it REAL. Not plastic. 

But I’ve heard if you cut it from the roots, it’ll last longer than a pre-cut tree, right?

This is a common and great question; however, it’s a myth that a tree cut directly from its roots is “fresher” and will automatically last longer than one that was pre-cut a week or two prior. However, this is not necessarily true. But, how can this be? Successfully growing and harvesting Christmas trees involves a specific science to ensure they stay vibrant once cut. We have seen families cut trees from the forest (and even at our Tree Nursery) that last only a few short days; but we’ve also had numerous families who’ve called us in mid-January to tell us their Fresh-Cut, non-native, tree from our lot was still thriving! We believe in specializing, which is why we leave the “cutting” to professional tree experts—those who have dedicated their lives to the Christmas tree industry. This allows us to focus entirely on the careful nurturing and overall care of the trees, whether they are living or cut. During this time of year, we let the professional tree-harvesters do their job so we can do ours: Provide you with a high-end, as fresh as they come, cut Christmas tree. If you want roots still hanging from the trunk, then we’d have to recommend our Living Trees. They’re our top specialty.

Which varieties of Fresh-Cut Trees do you plant, and then offer to cut down at your Niwot location?

We carry the following Fresh-Cut Tree varieties, subject to availability: Fraser Fir, Noble Fir, Nordman Fir, Douglas Fir, Balsam Fir, Grand Fir, Concolor Fir, Scotch Pine, and White Pine.

Approximate Price Range:

Prices will vary tree to tree as everything is priced individually and tagged on the tree. However, our range of pricing is between $80-$650, with the most commonly sold trees at 6 to 8 feet tall, averaging between $190-300.