The Real Reason Oklahoma’s Real Christmas Trees Don’t Arrive Until After Thanksgiving

Growing up, our family always waited until after Thanksgiving Day to put up the Christmas tree. As I got older, I saw more and more people jumping the gun and decorating for Christmas earlier every year. This year specifically, I've already seen the fake Christmas trees popping up just a day or two after Halloween.

But if there's one group of people that save the tree decorating until after Thanksgiving, it's the Christmas tree farm owners. But it isn't for the reasons you might be thinking.

They want everyone to join in the Christmas fun, too. But they've got a really important reason for keeping their trees in the ground until just after Thanksgiving day or weekend.

Why can't you buy a real Christmas tree in Oklahoma until after Thanksgiving?

It's not completely impossible to get a Christmas tree before Thanksgiving, but it definitely isn't preferred. To make sure the trees stay fresh and last until Christmas morning, tree farmers prefer to make the cuts after Thanksgiving Day.

That's why you may notice that Oklahoma's Christmas tree farms are starting to spread the news now that Halloween has passed.

Miller Farms in Rush Springs, Oklahoma, is one of the places that brings in Christmas trees from outside of Oklahoma. Even if they have the trees on hand before Thanksgiving, they make sure to hold off selling them until after for the same reason: freshness for Christmas Day.

Do you have to buy a real Christmas tree from a Christmas tree farm?

Although some parts of Oklahoma are covered in evergreens and other Christmas-like pine trees, you can't just cut any of them down and use them for your home. Even if it's on public property, you need a specific permit to do so.

READ MORE: Breakfast With Santa, Safari Lights & More Winter Fun at OKC Zoo

If you're considering cutting your own live tree for Christmas, there are plenty of "u-cut" Christmas tree farms in Oklahoma. Most places will have the tools available to cut, carry, and tie down your tree, but it's always safe to check ahead of the trip.

Here are the top Christmas tree farms you can visit shortly after Thanksgiving to bring home your own tree.