Bill's Friendly Christmas Trees
Solon Mills, IL · about 49 mi from Chicago
At a glance
- Address
- Near Solon Mills, IL
- Activities
- 🎄 Christmas trees
- Features listed
- Choose and cut
- Typical season
- Late Nov to Dec (christmas trees, varies by farm)
- Nearest city we cover
- Chicago, about 49 miles
- Listing updated
- No date on the listing
- County
- McHenry County, IL
- Hardiness zone
- USDA zone 5b
- Source
- National Christmas Tree Association locator (checked Nov 2026)
Picking weather
National Weather ServiceLoading the forecast…
Weather only. It does not tell you whether the farm is open, so check hours with the farm.
Make a day of it
- Public restroom 2.5 mi
- Playground Hiller Park 1.3 mi
- Gas station Marathon 1.5 mi
- EV charger BA Solutions Supercharger 1.5 mi
- 87 places to eat within 5 mi McDonald's, Subway, Bacci
Farmers markets nearby
- Stade's Farm & Market Mchenry · 0.5 mi
- Fox Lake Farmers Market Fox Lake · 4.3 mi
- McHenry Farmers' Market Mchenry · 4.9 mi
CSA farm shares nearby
- Green Earth Farm 5.2 mi
- Five Petal Fields 10.1 mi
- Olive's Flowers 10.6 mi
Open in Apple Maps · Google Maps directions
Nearby places from OpenStreetMap (straight-line distance). Markets and CSAs from the USDA Local Food Directories.
Weather here in a typical year
Nov here: highs around 48°F, lows around 29°F, about 2.4 in of rain, 9.7 hours of daylight.
- 🌱 Last spring frostMay 1
- 🍂 First fall frostOct 11
- ☀️ Frost-free season162 days
- 🧭 Hardiness zone5b
NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals, Mc Henry -Wg Stratton L&D, IL station (7.4 mi); USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 (USDA-ARS, Oregon State University PRISM). Averages, not a forecast. Crops ripen earlier after warm springs.
What you can pick here
- Christmas trees In season nowLate Nov to Dec
Typical US ranges from extension service crop calendars, not this farm's own dates. Seasons shift by region and weather, so check with the farm.
Before you go
- Check that it is open. Search for the farm's current hours: hours and crops change with the weather.
- Bring cash and a card. Some farms take only one.
- Water, sun protection and closed-toe shoes.
- A bow saw if the farm lets you bring one (many lend saws)
- Work gloves, sap is sticky
- Ratchet straps or rope and an old blanket for the car roof
- A tape measure and your ceiling height
- Ask about pets before you bring a dog.
More tips: your first u-pick visit · choose-and-cut checklist.
How to pick like a pro
- Is it ripe?
Run a branch through your hand: needles should stay on. Check the trunk is straight for 6 to 8 inches at the base so it fits the stand.
- How to pick
Measure ceiling height and stand diameter before you go. Most farms lend a saw; cut low and level. Ask the farm to shake and net the tree.
- Best time to go
Thanksgiving weekend has the best selection but the biggest crowds. Weekday afternoons are calmer.
- Keep it fresh
Make a fresh cut on the trunk when you get home and put it in water within a few hours. Check water daily for the first week.
Farm country: McHenry County
McHenry County had 828 farms in the latest USDA Census of Agriculture (2022). Of those, 160 sold food straight to the public and 13 earned money from agritourism like u-pick and tours.
- 598 acres of Christmas trees #1 of 33 counties in IL
USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2022 Census of Agriculture. Some county numbers are withheld to protect individual farms.
Check hours before you go. Listings come from public directories and many were last updated in 2024.
Farms nearby
All farms near Chicago · Farms in Illinois · Christmas tree farms everywhere
Plan your trip
Questions about Bill's Friendly Christmas Trees
Is Bill's Friendly Christmas Trees open today?
We do not track live hours. Check with the farm before you go. Our listing comes from public directories and was last updated in a past season.
When is the season at Bill's Friendly Christmas Trees?
Christmas trees typically run Late Nov to Dec in much of the US. Exact dates depend on the farm, the region and the weather, so confirm with the farm.
Where is Bill's Friendly Christmas Trees?
Near Solon Mills, IL. Use the Directions button for turn-by-turn directions.
Can I bring my dog to Bill's Friendly Christmas Trees?
Pet rules vary by farm and by field. Many u-pick farms do not allow dogs in picking areas for food safety. Ask the farm before you go.
Is this listing wrong?
Farms can fix or claim a listing for free on our add or claim your farm page.