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Where to harvest your own Christmas tree in the Kawarthas in 2020 Second, unless you want to end up with a Charlie Brown tree, don't delay in getting your tree this year. With more families staying at home during the holidays during the pandemic, there's a high demand for trees -- and that means shortages are expected. There are six tree farms in the Kawarthas where you can harvest your own tree: Potash Creek Farms in Omemee, Barrett's Tree Farm in Cobourg, J & D Trees in Colborne, Murray Tree Farm in Apsley, Dawson Tree Farm in Millbrook, and Oake Family Tree Farm in Cavan-Monaghan. Kol Tree Farms in Roseneath is permanently closed and Little Lake Christmas Trees in Cramahe doesn't appear to be open this year. If you're willing to drive just outside the Kawarthas, you can also harvest your own tree at Powell's Trees in Bowmanville and Blackstock Christmas Tree Farm in Blackstock. Due to the pandemic, there are new COVID-19 health and safety protocols at all tree farms. A limited number of people will be allowed at one time. You'll need to wear your face mask when paying for your tree. There will be no hot drinks or snacks available, and no hay rides. Customers are encouraged to bring their own hand saw; some farms have limited saws available (usually with a deposit) that will be sanitized after customer use. Check the tree farm's website for their specific COVID-19 protocols. Here's where you can harvest your own Christmas tree in the greater Kawarthas region: Barrett's Tree Farm (3141 Williamson Rd. N., Cobourg, 905-342-2622) Blackstock Christmas Tree Farm (4060 Mountjoy Rd., Blackstock, 905-439-9253) Dawson Tree Farm (243 Zion Line, Millbrook, 905-261-7415 or 905-243-5136) J & D Trees (13809 Telephone Rd., Colborne, 905-355-3009) Murray Tree Farm (8786 Highway 28, Apsley, 416-438-0879) Oake Family Tree Farm (2474 Sherbrooke St. W., Cavan-Monaghan, 705-740-3393) Potash Creek Farms (400 Grassy Rd., Omemee, 705-879-4489) Powell's Trees (2945 Regional Rd. 20, Bowmanville, 905-263-2762) For available tree species, hours, prices, and websites (including the farms' COVID-19 protocols), check out our map: Why buy a grown-in-Ontario Christmas tree? Besides helping the local economy (more than 600 Christmas tree farms in Ontario generate around $12 million), farm-grown natural Christmas tree have other benefits. Christmas trees are one of the most environmentally friendly crops. It takes up to 10 years to grow each tree and, during this time, the trees remove carbon dioxide and airborn pollutants from the atmosphere (up to 13 tons per acre!) and provide protective havens for 2/4