There are a lot of farms growing Christmas trees in Essex so if you want a tree grown locally this year it shouldn't be too hard to find one. If you are hoping for the Christmas Hallmark film experience of heading out with your family to select and cut down a tree there are a few locations for this too (snow and soft focus camera footage not guaranteed). For a special Christmas experience check out these 10 Christmas Tree Farms in Essex.
*Updated for 2023*

Buying direct from a farm might be more expensive but you are supporting a local business and you should get a fresher tree which lasts longer (remember real trees need watering though) because they are freshly cut from the plantation. They will still need watering to keep them looking their best. Find out more about different types of Christmas trees at the end of the post. 

If you plan to choose your tree from where it is growing suitable footwear (eg wellies) and clothing is recommended.

If you are looking for other special experiences this Christmas how about visiting one of Essex's Light Trails? 

Essex has a great choice of Christmas Tree farms including venues where you can pick your own tree and cut it down

Christmas Tree Farms In Essex (Including Where You Can Pick and Cut Your Own Christmas Tree)

The farms listed all have their own tree plantations in Essex where their Christmas trees are farmed from. Most of them allow you to choose your own from the field, however a few of them sell precut only even if their plantation is on site. 

Alsa Wood Farm Christmas Trees 

Alsa Wood, Alsa Street, Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex, CM24 8SX
Choose your tree from the field and have it cut for you. They also sell ready cut, potted trees, wreaths and tree stands. Open from Thursday 23rd November 9am to 4pm (closed Wednesdays). The farm normally closes for the season by mid December, depending on how busy they have been, to ensure they have availability for future years.
Alsa Wood Farm sell many Christmas tree varieties including Norway Spruce, Nordmann Fir, Serbian Spruce and Douglas Fir.
No need to book
Limited local delivery available.
Dogs welcome.
Bring warm clothes and wellies.

The A127 Christmas Tree Farm also know as Leigh Trees

579 Prince Avenue, Southend On Sea, Essex, SS0 0JJ
Specialise in growing Nordmann Firs, but they also have some non-drop Fraser Fir,  Norway Spruce and Blue Spruce. Open 18th November to 24th December.
You can order trees online for local delivery or choose in person, but it looks like a selection are precut for you to choose from rather than choosing from the plantation.
Interestingly they also offer tree rental. You can choose a potted tree from the farm or order online from end of November. They will collect your tree after Christmas (but before Jan 10th) and plant the tree back in the field. 

Bullbanks Farm 

Halstead Road, Oldham, Colchester, CO6 3PT
Open 7 days a week from 18th November to 22nd December 10am to 5pm
Choose one of the pre-cut selection from the yard or choose your own from the field. The team will cut your selected tree and carry it to your car.
They sell Norway Spruce and Nordmann Fir.
Hot drinks, mulled wine and snacks available.
Free parking (I think every where has, but here specifies it).

Christmas Wrapped Up

Easter Hall, Aythorpe Roding, Dunmow, Essex CM6 1PE
Open from 8th November. 9am to 6pm with late night opening on Thursdays until 7pm and early closing on Sundays (4pm).
Fresh wreaths and garlands. Indoor and outdoor lights and lots of decorations. They sell Nordmann Fir trees freshly cut from 4ft to 30ft and potted trees.
Delivery available.
Cafe open at weekends from 25th November.
Whilst trees are grown on site it looks like you can only choose from pre-cut trees. 

Fiveways Fruit Farm

Warren Lane, Stanway CO3 ONN
Tree on sale from 23rd November from 9am to 4.30pm. From December they will stay open a little later, with shorter opening hours on Sundays. Details on their Facebook page.
Fiveways have been growing Christmas trees for over 25 years, but they only sell the trees precut. They normally have 3 varieties in their shop: Nordmann Fir, Norway Spruce and Fraser Fir (cut and potted available). Prices range from around £19 to £84.

Foxes Farm

They cancelled their event in 2022 due to lack of sales and are not opening in 2023.

Fred Smith Christmas Trees 

West View, 61 Straight Road, Boxted, Colchester, Essex CO4 5QY
Open 7 days a week from 8am to 8pm. Early November to early January.
A family Christmas tree business in Essex since 1959.
Fred Smith's has a selection of ready dug and pre-cut trees ranging from 1 metre to 10 metres! They have previously said you can also cut your own or dig one up (bring a spade), but I haven't confirmed this for 2023. They have Nordmann Fir, Norway Spruce and Blue Spruce.
Local delivery for smaller trees with larger sized trees delivered up to 50 miles away. 

Harold's Park 

Harold’s Park Farm Bumbles Green, Nazeing, Essex, EN9 2SF

This business has now closed and no longer sell trees.

Hurley’s Christmas Tree Farm 

Woodham Road, Battlesbridge, Wickford, Essex. SS11 7QL
Open from 25th November and throughout December from 9am to 5pm (opening at 8am on weekends). Booking was required in previous years, but not for 2023.
Cut trees only (no potted). Tree varieties include Nordmann Fir, Fraser Fir and Balsam Fir, Norway Spruce. You can choose from a range or precut trees or choose from the field (subject to availability) and you can wander through them for photo opps.
Stands available.
Refreshments at weekends and portable toilets
Local delivery service available. 

Larkins Farm

199 Nine Ashes Road, Ingatestone, CM4 0JZ
They don't seem to be open this year as their social media hasn't been updated in 2023 and the website is no longer available.

Lathcoats Farm, Beehive Lane, Galleywood, CM2 8LX

Lathcoats Farm have a number of Christmas Trees you can choose in the field ahead of time and then freshly cut ready to collect. They have also started a rental service where you choose a potted tree and rent for Christmas before returning to them to grow for another year. You can have the same tree back each year and watch it grow with the family. They advise these trees are 2 foot and reaching around 5 foot after 5 years. Book online for either option.
There is also a Christmas Trail on site for children at £4.50 a child.

Rayleigh Christmas Tree Farm, Slatfords Nursery & Garden Centre 

Slatfords Nursery & Garden Centre, Weir Cutting, Arterial Road, Rayleigh, Essex SS6 7TU
Open from 18th November so you can "tag" the tree you want in the field and fully open from 25th November for precut Christmas Tree sales, 9am to 5pm. The fields close at dusk, but you can still choose a pre-cut tree from the flood lit area. 
They grow a range of Christmas trees including Nordmann Fir, Norway Spruce, Blue Spruce, Fraser Fir, Noble Fir, Silver Fir. Either cut or potted. Tree stands, wreaths and decorations also available.
Old clothes and suitable footwear recommended when visiting the fields.
In previous years there has been free mulled wine or hot chocolate and mince pie on selected weekends, but no mention currently. Check their Facebook page for updates.
You can choose a freshly cut tree or one from the field.
No booking required.
Delivery Available. 

Slamsleys Christmas Tree Barn

Slamseys Farm, Blackley Lane, Great Notley, Braintree, Essex, CM77 7QW
Open from 24th November 2023. Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm, Saturday 9am to 5pm, Sunday 10am to 4pm
The trees are cut from their own plantation and placed in their barn for you to choose from so you can choose a tree in the dry, no need for wellies. The level ground means this venue is suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs.
They have Norway Spruce and Norman Fir cut (from 1 to 4 metres) and potted (about 1 metre). They also sell wreaths and Christmas tree stands

What's The Differences Between Types of Christmas Trees?

The Christmas Tree Farms in Essex offer a variety of tree varieties with Nordmann Fir and Norway Spruce the most widely available. If you want a particular type of tree it is worth calling a venue before visiting to avoid disappointment. The farms can only sell what they have available each year (unlike supermarkets etc which will order from many locations) so trees are subject to availability.

Norway Spruce is considered a traditional Christmas tree with a recognisable Christmassy scent. They aren't ideal if you like to get your tree weeks before Christmas as they will shed needles quickly so ideally keep in a cooler room or get closer to Christmas (buying a tree that has been cut that day and keeping it watered will help though. It takes about 10 years to grow a Norway Spruce to 2 metres/ 6ft from seed.

Nordmann Fir are popular because they drop less needles (if watered) and are a fuller tree with more branches. It takes longer to grow than Norway Spruce so tends to cost more. They tend to have a wide base so need quite a bit of space.

Blue Spruce has a distinctive blue green foliage but very sharp needles. 

Fraser Fir is a popular choice for small spaces because it is narrow and bushy right to the top

Information correct based on available information at time of publishing. Please check the farms websites, social medias or give them a call for the latest information.