At a glance
- Address
- Near Melbourne, IA
- Activities
- 🎄 Christmas trees
- Features listed
- Choose and cut
- Phone
- (515) 321-9157
- Typical season
- Late Nov to Dec (christmas trees, varies by farm)
- Listing updated
- No date on the listing
- Contact details from
- National Christmas Tree Association
- County
- Marshall County, IA
- 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
- Playground 3.6 mi
- Gas station 6.6 mi
Farmers markets nearby
- Marshall County Market Marshalltown · 9.6 mi
- State Center Farmers' Market State Center · 9.7 mi
- The Market Place Marshalltown · 11.6 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 46°F, lows around 26°F, about 2.1 in of rain, 9.7 hours of daylight.
- 🌱 Last spring frostApr 28
- 🍂 First fall frostOct 7
- ☀️ Frost-free season162 days
- 🧭 Hardiness zone5b
NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals, Marshalltown, IA station (12.7 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. Call the farm: 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: Marshall County
Marshall County had 898 farms in the latest USDA Census of Agriculture (2022). Of those, 32 sold food straight to the public and 5 earned money from agritourism like u-pick and tours.
- 27 acres of Christmas trees
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
Farms in Iowa · Christmas tree farms everywhere
Plan your trip
Questions about Gowdy Tree Farm
Is Gowdy Tree Farm open today?
We do not track live hours. Call the farm at (515) 321-9157 before you go. Our listing comes from public directories and was last updated in a past season.
When is the season at Gowdy Tree Farm?
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 Gowdy Tree Farm?
Near Melbourne, IA. Use the Directions button for turn-by-turn directions.
Can I bring my dog to Gowdy Tree Farm?
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.