Picking out a Christmas tree has become a time-honored tradition for many families and students, and there are several local options for honoring that tradition.

Blair Tree Farm, Mandana Pine Christmas Trees and Homann Tree Farm are three area farms where holiday shoppers can find a wide variety of Christmas trees. Scotch pine, white pine, fraser, balsam fir, Norway spruce, blue spruce and North Carolina hybrid are just a few varieties customers can select from.

Depending on where one goes, the tree can be precut or cut once it’s picked out. Blair Tree Farm has workers who will cut the tree down once it’s selected, or it has balsam fir and fraser trees precut. They also have Scotch and white pine trees for $3.50 a foot. Scotch trees are popular for their freshness, Marsha Blair said.

Besides the trees, Blair Tree Farm also has custom-designed wreaths that range in size from 10 inches to three feet. On weekends they also have pony rides for children. Balsam trees are $4.50 a foot and Frasers are $44 for a five-foot tree. “They are like the Cadillac of Christmas trees,” Blair said. Frasers are shipped in from out of state because they cannot grow in Illinois.

Blair Tree Farm, located six miles east of Charleston on Illinois Route 16, is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The farm can be reached at 349-8688.

The trees at Mandana Pine Christmas Tree farm start at $20, and rise in price depending on the size and type of tree. The farm, formerly called Sturgeon’s, has been in operation for three years. Owner Dana Matheny said fraser trees have been popular this year.

Students living in the residence halls must get their tree sprayed with a fire retardant by Eastern’s grounds department, Facilities Planning and Management.

Matheny said that while quite a few students have purchased trees this year, selecting the perfect tree can be an event for the whole family.

“My fun is just seeing the families come out and enjoy the popcorn and cocoa,” he said. “You don’t see many families doing stuff, so it’s good to see them come out.”

Mandana has wreaths, refreshments, and will shake and bail the trees. Mandana is located four and a half miles east of Charleston on Illinois Route 16. The farm can be reached at 345-5588 and is open weekdays from 1 to 6:30 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Sunday noon to 6 p.m.

Homann’s Tree Farm, owned and operated by Harold Homann, has been in business for 25 years. The 93-year-old Homman, who grew up on the farm, said he gets customers from anywhere from Champaign to Farina. His customers come anytime from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. to view the wide variety of trees on his farm.

Homann sells Scotch and white pine, blue and Norway spruce, and North Carolina hybrid. Apparently, big trees have been big business this year for Homman.

“There has been a great market for 10-foot-tall trees,” he said.

Homann’s Tree Farm is located three miles north of Mattoon on Route 45. Their trees are $15 and $20.