FOR many of us, putting up the Christmas tree is a special thing to do with loved ones.

And there's nothing quite like rallying up the family to go and pick your own.

Many fruit farms, garden centres and woodland centres across the county open their doors each winter to allow families to choose their perfect tree for the December festivities.

Whether you're after a 6ft tree to wow guests when they pop over for a mince pie or perhaps something a bit smaller to fit into a cosy space, there is a Christmas tree for everyone.

The Argus has put together a guide to some of the places on your doorstep where you can get into the festive spirit and find your perfect tree.

Littledown Farm Christmas Trees

The Argus:

Littledown Farm, Main Road, Westfield, Hastings

Phone: 01424 753413

Christmas trees: Pot grown

Open: Seven days a week starting from now, 7.30 am to 7.30pm.

Currently there are three reindeer to visit when you go to Littledown Farm to choose your tree, including two baby reindeer calves Elgol and Leo who were born this year

Christmas tree varieties: Blue spruce, Fraser, Lodgepole pine, Noble, Nordman, Norway, Scots pine

Sussex Trees Northdown Plantation

The Argus:

Address: Five Ashes, near Heathfield

Phone: 01435 868412

Open: 8.30am to 5.30pm until December 22

Northdown is home to Sussex Trees’ original plantation

It has trees up to 12ft tall and you can pick your own from the vast site

There are staff available to help cut the trees down or you can just grab a pre-cut one from the barn

Sussex Trees Goddenwick Farm

The Argus:

Address: Goddenwick Farm, Lindfield

Phone: 01444 689068

Open: Weekends 8.30am to 5pm, from now until December 22

Goddenwick Farm is where the reindeer and pygmy goats live during the year, and five reindeer and most of the goats will be in residence at Christmas time (the others go to Northdown), see top left

They also have four alpacas, ducks and peacocks

You will find trees up to 14ft tall

Cheviots Farm Christmas trees

The Argus:

Address: Cousley Wood, Wadhurst

Phone: 01892 782759

They have been selling trees direct to the public for more than 30 years.

They are open daily 10am to 5pm from now until December 19 – or “when we run out”

Catsfield Christmas Tree Farm

The Argus:

Address: Catsfield, near Battle

Phone: 01424 893750

Email: info@snowtimetrees.com

Open: Until Christmas Eve, 9am to 6pm, seven days a week

Open late until 7pm on Friday and December 8

There are prime grade real Sussex Christmas Trees from £19.95

Christmas tree varieties: Nordman fir from £38.95; Fraser fir from £38.95; Serbian spruce from £32.95; Norway spruce from £32.95

Wilderness Wood

The Argus:

Address: Hadlow Down, near Uckfield

Phone: 01825 830 509

Email: acoateswps@gmail.com

Open: From now to December 24, 9am to 5.30pm

Friendly and informal, great fun for children, and eye-opening for grown-ups. Numbers of cut/dig your own trees are limited, so it recommends you reserve your tree

To reserve, go to the barn and get a label to put your name on. Take this to the plantation and attach it to your chosen tree

Leave a £5 deposit and return nearer Christmas to cut or dig your tree, and pay the balance then

There are no trees available in the cut/dig your own plantation over 6ft tall – all the taller trees are now reserved. There are hundreds of ready-cut trees of all sizes from 3ft to 16ft in the yard from now

Christmas tree varieties: Norway spruce – the traditional and most popular tree, Blue spruce – attractive colour, good needle retention, Nordmann fir – popular non-drop variety

Balcombe Estate Sawmill

The Argus:

Address: Haywards Heath Road, Balcombe

Phone: 01444 811446

Email: sawmill@balcombeestate.co.uk.

Open: For Christmas tree and log sales until December 22 from 10am to 4pm.

All the Christmas trees can be netted and carried to your car

They also supply Christmas tree stands and holly wreaths, as well as logs and kindling wood for wood burning stoves and open fires

Cash, credit and debit card payments are accepted

Christmas tree varieties: Pre-cut varieties: Norway spruce, Nordmann fir, Fraser fir, Serbian spruce

Other places to buy your trees:

Highwood Trees

Address: 83 Tower Ride, Uckfield

Phone: 01825 763536

Rocklea Farm

Address: Rocks Lane, High Hurstwood

Spar

Address: Broad Oak, Heathfield

Phone: 01435 862989

Spilsted Farm

Address: Stream Lane, Sedlesconbe

Phone: 01424 721841