Artificial or real?

It’s the classic debate at the start of the Christmas season, pitting those who want the convenience of a tree in a box against those who prefer the authenticity and scent of an actual evergreen.

Dedicated traditionalists go even further, seeking a place where they can pick out, cut down and haul away the tree that best matches their image of a holiday centerpiece.

Visitors to Martin’s Christmas Tree Farm in Rostraver will find they have to apply some muscle power if they want to claim a tree on their own. As is the case at many similar establishments, patrons are provided a bow saw to separate the trunk of their desired tree from the stump; only staff are permitted to use chain saws.

“I have four guys who will help if they’re not capable of cutting it,” said farm operator Brad Martin, who is carrying on the legacy of his late father, George.

Martin’s helpers also stand by with quads hitched to carts, ready to transport trees downhill to customers’ cars. Then, “we bale them and we load them up,” he said.

Martin has trees in various stages of growth, from seedlings to 22-footers that require a high cathedral ceiling to display indoors.

The Fraser fir is the most popular type of Christmas tree on his farm.

“They’ll hold a decent-sized ornament, and they’re soft to the touch,” he noted. “They don’t prick you like a Scotch pine or a blue spruce will.”

Still, the latter varieties are available — as well as white pine and the Douglas fir, which also has soft needles.

Martin’s will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily from Black Friday through Dec. 21.

Saws also are available at K&J Nurseries, where customers can “cut their own tree if they like,” said Kevin Keilman, who has operated the Indiana County business, with his wife, Julie, for two decades.

To make the Christmas tradition complete, a sled is at hand for hauling cut trees when snow has fallen on their East Wheatfield property, to the west of Laurel Hill.

Pre-cut trees also may be had. Varieties at K&J include Fraser and Douglas firs, as well as the concolor fir. The latter tree species “holds its needles real well,” said Kevin Keilman. “It has a medium needle that smells like citrus. It’s been around a long time, but sometimes it’s hard to find, and it’s harder to grow.”

Rounding out the selection are blue spruce and Serbian spruce, which has glossy green needles with streaks of white.

K&J offers some extras, including a tree preservative and tree bags that “make it easier to take the tree out of the house with very little mess,” when it’s ready for disposal, said Kevin Keilman.

K&J is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily from Black Friday through Dec. 22.

Area businesses that offer choose-and-cut Christmas trees include:

Nutbrown’s Tree Farm  Where: 180 McMichael Road, Carnegie  Phone: 412-330-0240  Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekends beginning Nov. 23; Noon to 7 p.m. weekdays except Nov. 25, 27 and 28

Allison’s Christmas Trees  Where: 121 Allison Lane, Aliquippa  Phone: 724-495-2680  Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Nov. 23 and 24 and Nov. 29 through Dec. 20

Bertovich Evergreen Christmas Tree Farm  Where: 1031 Willowbrook Drive E, Industry  Phone: 724-244-9520  Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 29 and Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 15; 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays through Dec. 13; Dec. 21 and 22 by appointment

Buchanan Evergreen Farm  Where: 3259 State Route 18, Hookstown  Phone: 724-899-4050  Hours: 10 a.m. to dusk weekdays, 8 a.m. to dusk weekends (closed Thanksgiving)

Hozak Farms  Where: 488 Anderson-Hozak Road, Clinton  Phone: 724-899-2400  Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 23 and 24 and resuming Nov. 29

Lake Forest Gardens  Where: 737 Chapel Drive, Fombell  Phone: 724-758-5706  Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Nov. 29 through Dec. 23

Rosenberger’s Tree Farm  Where: 115 John Brown Street, Beaver Falls  Phone: 724-846-8494  Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily beginning Nov. 29; self-service weekdays and Nov. 30 and Dec. 1; Full service on weekends beginning Dec. 7.

Cypher’s Christmas Tree Farm  Where: 179 Wise Road, Butler  Phone: 724-477-8733  Hours: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Weekdays; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays

Grupp’s Christmas Trees  Where: 147 Grupp Lane, Harmony  Phone: 724-368-3249  Hours: Opening Nov. 29. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays (closed Wednesdays); 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends

Pine Hill Farms  Where: 525 Upper Harmony Road, Evans City  Phone: 724-789-9240  Hours: Opening noon to dusk Nov. 29; 9 a.m. to dusk weekends. Call for other times.

Renick’s Tree Farm  Where: 721 W. Sunbury Road, West Sunbury  Phone: 724-283-1869  Hours: Opening Nov. 29; 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m Fridays through Sundays

Quarter Pine Tree Farm  Where: 127 Hardin Hollow Road, Smithfield  Phone: 724-860-8210  Hours: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, weather permitting, beginning Nov. 29

Graff Christmas Tree Farm  Where: 1863 Mahan School Road, Blacklick  Phone: 724-248-3221  Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily beginning Nov. 29

K&J Nurseries  Where: 24 Findley Road, Seward  Phone: 814-243-0491  Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 29 through Dec. 22

Mytrysak Tree Farm  Where: 5700 Route 56 Highway East, Homer City  Phone: 724-599-4940  Hours: Opens Nov. 29; 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends

Ruffing’s Tree Farm  Where: 665 Five Points Road, Indiana  Phone: 724-354-3852  Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 29 and weekends through Dec. 22

Candle Tree Farm  Where: 2776 South Bridge Road, Washington  Phone: 724-249-6472  Hours: 10 a.m. to dusk Nov. 29 and weekends; 1 p.m. to dusk other weekdays

Lone Oak Tree Farm  Where: 770 Dry Run Road, Monongahela  Phone: 724-258-3330  Hours: Opens Nov. 29; Noon to dusk weekdays; 9 a.m. to dusk weekends

Camp Jo-Ann Nursery Where: 716 State Route 380, Murrysville Phone: 724-339-5599 Hours: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sundays, through Dec. 15

Martin’s Christmas Tree Farm  Where: 699 Porter McNutt Lane, Belle Vernon  Phone: 412-496-0406  Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 29 through Dec. 21

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