If you're searching, then you want a detailed review and here it is:
Not easy to find. Found the signage lacking. The website directions help. This isn't "Pottstown" like you're thinking. It's quite scenic, yet convenient, although the road leading to the farm is narrow and wouldn't be popular during inclement weather.
Arrival: Day after Thanksgiving, parking was difficult and there wasn't help (such as individuals who can direct traffic). We finally got parked. Ambiance is definitely nice; again, it's scenic and everything looked nice. Very helpful lady at the front who explained everything.
Ride to the fields: It's on a flatbed towed by a tractor. This isn't a "hayride". Bring a blanket or something to put down - you're going to get dirty and/or wet if there's snow. You sit on the sides of the flatbed, so hang on to your kids. A little dicey for younger children but at least the tractor drives slowly.
Trees: Surprisingly disappointing overall. Many sections marked as "closed, do not cut" and appeared to be earmarked for retail sale. We were interested in Frasier Firs and there was a reasonable selection...if you wanted 10 foot or higher trees! We were greeted at some point by a worker in the field who informed us that we would need to get back on the tractor (not a popular idea) to go to another area for shorter trees. We decided to stay. In hindsight, we should have gone to the other section for a reason I will explain in a minute.
Experience with trees: Very helpful worker helped us cut it down, then dragged our tree to the tractor and loaded it. VERY helpful and makes for a better experience. But you're really paying for that because...
Cost: THIS IS HUGE. And frankly, it's dishonest. Every other tree farm we have frequented has done things one of two ways: Flat pricing (such as $60 for a tree up to, say 10 feet tall) or sold by the foot and measured - AFTER YOU HAVE CUT THEM! The distinction is HUGE! Westlake measures your tree FROM THE GROUND and BEFORE YOU HAVE CUT IT. (Assuming they are there when you are cutting it down). HUGE DIFFERENCE! Frasiers are 10$ per foot there, which is already expensive but understandable (helping local business, etc). But when you consider that these trees are being measured from the ground up and before you cut it...you're adding another foot (OR MORE) to the cost. Expect to "waste" anywhere from $10-$20 on your tree (we measured later, and it was a $20 swing, almost two feet, and they round up!). We were working to cut part of the trunk off, assuming we would have the tree measured when we arrived to have it shaken, NOPE! We spent $110 on our tree that would have cost $90 (and that's bad enough!) They tag your tree with its height and hand you that tag, THEN you cut it down and it's taken to the tractor. Talk about sticker shock!!!
Baling and loading: They have a good Christmas shop (check out the bottom floor with a huge train display and Santa is there for about 3 hours per day on weekends). There were no "festivals" or any kind of music when we went (could have used some!) but hot chocolate, grilled cheese, coffee, and hot dogs. Fairground prices but at least a warm place to eat beside a large fire pit. Trees are baled with twine instead of with the customary netting, which makes transporting the tree into the house trickier (less to grab). When our tree was ready and we paid, we used a wagon to get our tree to the car. Had to wait 5 or so minutes but there was a worker who helped us get the tree on our car and tied it up (not quite taut enough for our liking - and expect to tip for this service). Still very helpful though. The shaking mechanism they used didn't do a real thorough job so we cleaned it up upon arrival home.
Overall: Good, picturesque location. Pricing is somewhat in line with market with the exception of their measuring technique, which is frankly unfair. Staff is friendly and Christmas shop is pretty well stocked. A good way to spend a few hours if you want to get a live tree, but I'd look around at other locations before I came here again. read more