A distinctive pre-tagging model lets you claim a specific tree in October and pay for it after Thanksgiving, a real planning advantage, though pricing and tree species still need a phone call to confirm.
Pricing not listed online; payment happens when the tree is harvested after Thanksgiving, not at pre-tagging.
THE Christmas Tree Farm runs a genuinely distinctive model compared with every other farm in this research: customers can walk the field and tag a specific tree starting Oct. 1, without any staff needing to be present, then return after Thanksgiving to cut and pay for that exact tree. If you’ve ever lost out on the tree you wanted because someone else got to it first, this system directly solves that problem — you can claim your tree more than a month before the cutting season even opens.
Step one is pre-tagging, which opened Oct. 1, 2026. You walk the property, find a tree you like, and mark it — no need to coordinate with staff or show up during business hours to do this. Step two is harvesting, which for 2026 runs from the day after Thanksgiving through Dec. 18. You return sometime in that window, cut the tree you already claimed, and pay at that point. That payment timing is worth calling out specifically: there’s no upfront cost or deposit required to reserve a tree in October, so tagging one is effectively a free, no-risk way to lock in your choice early.
If you’re the kind of shopper who wants a very specific size, shape, or spot in the field — maybe you remember exactly where a great tree was growing last year — the October pre-tagging window is your best opportunity to secure it before anyone else does. If you’d rather just show up during the regular season and pick from what’s still available, that works too; the pre-tagging system is an option, not a requirement to participate.
Santa makes scheduled visits on Thanksgiving weekend and on the first weekend of December, and complimentary snacks and beverages are offered. Wreaths are also for sale. Compared with some larger farms in this research that list hayrides, petting zoos, or elaborate mazes, this is a more modest activity list — the pre-tagging system itself is really the standout feature here, rather than a packed slate of family attractions.
No tree species were listed on the farm’s site, and no pricing was published either. That’s a real gap for a farm whose central selling point is letting you commit to a specific tree months in advance — you’re effectively agreeing to buy something before you know what it costs. The honest recommendation here is to call (515) 387-8778 before or during your October tagging visit to ask about both species available and expected pricing, so you’re not surprised at harvest time.
The pre-tagging model is a real, useful innovation worth taking advantage of if you’re planning ahead, but go in with your eyes open about the pricing and species gaps — a phone call closes both before you invest a return trip in a tree you haven’t fully priced out.
Pre-tagging opened Oct. 1, 2026; harvesting runs the day after Thanksgiving through Dec. 18, 2026, per the farm's own site. Tag your tree early in October for the best selection, then return any time in the harvest window to cut it.
A quick return trip if you've already pre-tagged a tree in October; longer if you're browsing and choosing on the spot during the harvest window.
Not documented with specific numbers, but Santa's scheduled visits on Thanksgiving weekend and the first weekend of December are likely to be the busiest times to visit.
Not specified in the record.
Not addressed in the sources reviewed. Note that pre-tagging involves walking the field in October without staff present, which is worth factoring in if that kind of unassisted access is a concern.
Skip assuming you know the price or exact tree species ahead of time, since neither was published on the farm's site — call (515) 387-8778 to ask before you commit to a plan.
Not documented in the record.
Customers can walk the field and tag a specific tree starting Oct. 1, without any farm staff needing to be present. They then return after Thanksgiving to cut and pay for that exact tree.
The harvest window runs the day after Thanksgiving through Dec. 18, 2026, per the farm's own site.
At harvest, when you cut the tree — not when you tag it in October.
Yes, on scheduled visits during Thanksgiving weekend and the first weekend of December.
November 27 – December 18, 2026. Daily.
Pricing was not published when we last checked. Pricing not listed online; payment happens when the tree is harvested after Thanksgiving, not at pre-tagging.
Yes. It's cut-your-own.
33459 663rd Ave, Maxwell, IA 50161, in Story County. It is one of 6 farms we track in Des Moines Region IA.
We track 6 farms in Des Moines Region IA, 6 of which let you cut your own tree. The farm has not published a starting price, so it cannot be compared on cost — call before you budget.
Its season runs about 22 days against a regional average of 27, so it is broadly in line with the rest of the region.
There is 1 other farm we track in Story County. All Des Moines Region IA farms →
Map pin is set to the town centre. Navigate to the street address above, not the pin.
christmastreehunter.com
Checked September 2026.