Nothing brings a family closer than a tradition, and the cutting of the annual Christmas tree is one such custom.

"The cutting of a real Christmas tree is a real tradition," said David Armstrong, owner of the 12-acre Glenwood Christmas Tree Farm, as he stood in a clean and spacious gathering area where customers can enjoy coffee, hot chocolate and donuts. "A lot of families grow up here. I have watched children come here who are growing into fine, young adults."

In business for nine years, Armstrong said that he has more than 6,000 trees planted, of which 1,000 in varying sizes are saleable.

"Our biggest sellers are Noble Firs, Grand Firs and Nordmann Firs," he continued, "and the Nordmanns, which are a cross between a Noble and a Turkish Fir, are engineered to retain their needles."

He also mentioned that a good snowfall is the crowning touch.

"It is absolutely enchanting when it snows," added Armstrong.

Customers who wish to cut their own tree will be furnished a saw. Armstrong will use a chainsaw for those who do not want to cut down their own tree.

"It's always good to wear rain gear when you come, though," advised Armstrong. "It can get dirty and wet lying on the ground to cut down your Christmas tree."

Glenwood Christmas Tree Farm is located at 14716 Bingham Ave. E., Tacoma; 253.686.5466.

What follows is a partial list of Christmas tree farms in Pierce and Thurston counties.

Consumers can find wreaths, swags, cut green boughs, pine cones, mistletoe, tree stands and other gifts at all of the below.

PIERCE COUNTY

Hillside Tree Farm:  13100 198th Ave. E., Bonney Lake; 360.897.2144; hillsidetreefarm.info

Double Four Tree Farm:  4217 72nd St. E., Tacoma; 253.535.9267; double4treefarm.com

Cox Christmas Trees:  40605 Meridian E., Eatonville; 360.832.6673; coxchristmastrees.com

Harters Tree Farm: 24615 142nd St. E., Buckley; 253.223.0492.

Harvey's Harvest Christmas Trees: 7315 166th Ave. E., Sumner; 253.863.0533; harveysharvestchristmastrees.com

Holiday U-Cut Christmas Trees: 39908 Dean Kreger Rd. E., Eatonville; 360.832.8733; gochristmastree.com

Marnik's Christmas Tree Farm: 15901 106th St. E., Puyallup; 253.848.4646; misslesolee@msn.com

Ohop Ridge Tree Farm:  40707 Ski Park Rd. E., Eatonville; 253.691.1862; ohopridge.com

Snowshoe Evergreen Choose and Cut: 10720 SR 162 E., Puyallup; 253.845.5199; snowshoeevergreen.com

THURSTON COUNTY

Ames Christmas Tree Farm: 4115 Baker Ames Rd. NE, Olympia; 360.357.3155

Black Lake Trees: Delphi Rd. at 62nd Ave. SW, Olympia; 360.866.4125; blacklaketrees.com

Clyde ‘n Dale's Holiday Trees & Gifts: 10712 Tracie Ct. SW, Olympia; 360.352.8733; clydendalesholidaytrees.com

Hunter Family Farm: 7413 Yelm Hwy. SW, Olympia; 360.456.0466; hunterfamilyfarm.com

Schilter Family Farm:  141 Nisqually Cutoff Rd. SE, Olympia; 360.459.4023; schilterfamilyfarm.com

Sprouffske Trees: 14020 Finian Rd. SE, Rainier; 360.446.2212; sprouffsketrees.com

For more information, visit the Puget Sound Christmas Tree Association's website at www.pscta.org.