You’ve got the lights, the ornaments, even the presents, now all you need is the tree.

Whether artificial or real, Christmas trees are a staple of holiday decoration.

For those who take kindly to artificial trees, locating the right kind, size and shape is as easy as taking a trip to the local department store.

But for those who enjoy the woodsy pine smell of a freshly cut real tree, tracking down a nicely shaped, seven-foot Virginia Pine can be challenging – that is if they don’t know where to look.

J&M Family Christmas Tree Farm is perhaps the closest place for Cedartown residents to pick and cut their own tree.

Located in Buchannan, J&M is approximately 12 miles South of Cedartown and six miles North of Tallapoosa right off Highway 100.

The tree farm, which has been in operation since 1975, is a family owned business.

James and Margie Williams, owners, offer a large selection of different tree types – all suitable for the addition of tinsel and twinkling lights.

The farm has Leyland Cypress, Red Cedar, White Pine, Virginia Pine and Blue Ice trees available for cutting. They also offer pre-cut Fraser Firs.

Armed with a small hacksaws and tree carts, families can peruse over the acres of evergreens until the right tree is spotted.

J&M Family Christmas Tree Farm is open on Wednesday through Friday from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. The farm is also open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. J&M can be reached by calling 770-646-9423.

Two other tree farms are located in Carroll County.

Ball Christmas Tree Farm is open from noon until dark on Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. until dark on the weekend.

Located at 307 E. Wayside Road, the farm offers Virginia Pines.

Ball Tree Farm can be contacted at 770-832-7589.

In Temple at the Redland Nursery, tree hunters can make their selections from Arizona Cypress, Dwarf Alberta Spruce, Colorado Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce and Hemlock, Scotch Pine and a variety of other trees.

Redland Nursery also offers wagons rides, hot boiled peanuts and has an open fire on the grounds.

They are located on Redland Bend and can be reached at 770-562-4303.

The act of decorating a Christmas tree has been around since the mid 1800’s. When selecting a cut tree, there are several methods of keeping it fresh.

A “freshness test” can be performed on the tree by gently grasping a branch between your thumb and forefinger and pulling outwards from the trunk.

Very few needles should come off during this process.

Loss of needles close to the trunk of the tree is natural and occurs no matter how fresh the tree is.

Keeping a tree fresh can be done by watering it on a regular basis.

Once the tree is cut, it should be placed in a stand with water as soon as possible.

Trees should be placed far away from heat sources to prevent premature drying.

If a tree is properly watered, it should stay fresh through New Year’s Day.

According to the National Christmas Tree Association, the water used to sustain Christmas trees should not have any additional additives.

Contact Aimee Harmison at aharmsion@cedartownstd.com