EUSTIS, Fla. — Picking out a Christmas tree isn’t always easy — especially when you’re walking across 17 acres of fresh, Florida-grown trees at Santa’s Farm & Christmas Tree Forest in Eustis.

What You Need To Know

A family-owned Eustis farm is drawing thousands with its rare Florida experience: choosing and cutting your own Christmas tree

Shoppers like Ozem Rivera say they’re making lasting memories while discovering it’s possible to cut a tree in Florida

Owners Jodi and Tom Utsman grow 17,000 trees a year and offer full-service help from cutting to wrapping, plus pre-cut Northern varieties

Visitors can also explore Santa’s Farm’s activities — including a petting zoo, crafts and holiday attractions — before taking home their tree

Shoppers like Ozem Rivera and his daughter, Liani, were surprised to learn they could even cut their own tree there.

“Found a good one that we really like, so we’re just trying to make sure that’s the right one right now,” Rivera said as the two searched for the perfect match.

It’s their first time cutting their own tree.

“That’s our first time doing it. So, we had no idea it was even a possibility right here,” he added.

Farm owners Jodi and Tom Utsman have opened their farm to families for 35 years, offering two cut-your-own species — sand pine and southern red cedar.

Jodi says that growing Christmas trees in Florida takes extra work.

“They grow much faster than the trees grow up north. So, you must trim them three times a year,” she explained.

Once you’re done chopping or should we say sawing down that tree, it’s pretty much valet service after that.

Santa’s helpers handle the rest — picking up the freshly cut tree, tagging it, trimming the base, shaking off loose needles and wrapping it for the trip home.

Shuttles even bring guests to the fields where 17,000 trees grow each year.

But for those wanting a more traditional Northern tree, the Utsmans have an entire lot of imported varieties.

“This is our tree lot,” Jodi said. “The trees that can’t be grown in Florida….Fraser fir, scotch, Douglas, blue spruce, and Black Hills spruce.”

And the farm is far more than just a place to pick a tree.

From animals to crafts to kid-friendly attractions, there’s plenty to experience.

“We have a giant bounce pillow. We have a petting zoo, a concession area and a bar,” Jodi said.

As for Ozem and Liani, they got their Florida-grown tree decorated the same day.

Jodi hopes every family leaves with the same feeling. “I hope they walk away with an experience. This is just making memories… something that you don’t forget,” she said.

Santa’s Farm & Christmas Tree Forest is open through Dec. 20.

Admission is $10 (kids 2 and under free).

Cut-your-own trees are $45, and pre-cut trees start at $90.