A large, well-organized farm with over 30,000 trees across seven species and a full self-service cutting process, run by the same family since 1983, though the season runs only about two and a half weeks.
Walnut Ridge Farm has been family-owned and operated since 1983, currently run by the Harman family, and it stands out in this research for sheer scale: over 30,000 trees across seven species, one of the broader selections found in this entire batch. If variety matters to you — Canaan Fir, Concolor Fir, Fraser Fir, Scotch Pine, White Pine, Blue Spruce, and White Spruce are all grown here — this is one of the strongest options on the map.
The farm’s own site describes a clear, self-service sequence: grab a hand saw and tree cart, walk out and cut your tree, bring it to a shaking station to knock loose dead needles free, then pay at the sales barn. Hand saws are provided, so you don’t need to bring your own equipment — a genuine convenience if you’ve never cut your own tree before and don’t own a saw suited to the job. The shaking-station step is also a real, practical detail: fewer needles falling in your car and living room during transport and setup.
For 2026, the farm’s own posting states it opens the Friday after Thanksgiving (Nov. 27) and closes Dec. 14 at 5 p.m. Do the simple math: that’s roughly two and a half weeks, noticeably shorter than farms that stay open through Christmas Eve. With 30,000 trees on the property, total sellout across the whole farm is unlikely, but that scale doesn’t guarantee every species or size holds up for the full window — a specific type you want, especially in a popular size, could run out well before Dec. 14. If you have your heart set on a particular species from that list of seven, going early in the season meaningfully improves your odds.
The Dec. 14 close came directly from the farm’s current site, which is a stronger source than a resolved general rule — but it may reflect this year’s specific plan rather than a fixed date the farm repeats every year. Don’t assume next year automatically mirrors this one; check the farm’s site fresh each season.
No pricing was found anywhere in the sources reviewed, so this record can’t offer a number, even a rough one. The farm’s site does mention multiple payment types being accepted, but the specific methods weren’t itemized in what was extracted, so bring your usual payment method and confirm what’s accepted when you arrive. Wreaths, garland, and other greenery are sold in addition to trees, rounding out a stop here beyond just the cutting itself.
The 2026 season is planned to open Nov. 27 (the Friday after Thanksgiving) and close Dec. 14 at 5 p.m., per the farm's own site. Given the short window and broad species selection, going in the first week gives the best odds at your preferred species.
Plan for a full process, not a quick stop: grab a saw and cart, cut your tree, bring it to a shaking station to remove loose needles, then pay at the sales barn.
Not documented with specific numbers, but a farm this well-known (30,000+ trees, over 40 years in the same family) combined with a short roughly-2.5-week season likely draws strong opening-weekend traffic.
Not specified in the record.
Not addressed in the sources reviewed. Note the process involves walking to a tree, then to a shaking station, then to the sales barn, which is worth knowing if mobility over farm terrain is a concern.
Skip waiting until close to Dec. 14 expecting full selection, since the season runs only about two and a half weeks and popular species can run out before the stated closing date.
Not documented in the record.
Per the farm's own site, it opens the Friday after Thanksgiving (Nov. 27, 2026) and closes Dec. 14 at 5 p.m. The closing date came directly from the farm's current posting, though it may reflect this year's specific plan rather than a fixed annual rule.
Seven species: Canaan Fir, Concolor Fir, Fraser Fir, Scotch Pine, White Pine, Blue Spruce, and White Spruce — a broader selection than most farms in this research.
No. Hand saws and tree carts are provided so visitors don't need their own equipment.
It's self-service but structured: grab a hand saw and tree cart, cut your tree, bring it to a shaking station to remove loose needles, then pay at the sales barn.
November 27 – December 14, 2026. Daily. Hours: Opening Friday: 8:00am-5:00pm; Mon-Fri 2:00pm-5:00pm; Sat 8:00am-5:00pm; Sun 12:00pm-5:00pm.
Pricing was not published when we last checked.
Yes. It's cut-your-own, and a saw is provided.
1400 E Hillcrest Ave, Indianola, IA 50125, in Warren 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 18 days against a regional average of 27, so it is a shorter window than most of its neighbours — miss it and it may be sold out before nearby farms close.
What sets it apart locally: it has free netting/baling, which most Des Moines Region IA farms on our list do not.
There are 11 other farms we track in Warren County. All Des Moines Region IA farms →
Map pin is set to the town centre. Navigate to the street address above, not the pin.
walnutridgefarms.com
Checked September 2026.