Cut your own
The tree is cut from its roots and stays lovely for three to four weeks in a stand with water. This is the usual choice for indoors.
- Saw on loan at the sales point
- Easyfix hole in the trunk on request
- Wrapped in a net for the journey
Buy a ready-cut tree at our sales point, or cut or dig up your own in our field
Van der Roest is a family nursery in Naarden. Since 1945 we have grown Christmas trees in our own field on the Driftweg. Every December we open the gate, and people come from Hilversum, Almere, Amersfoort, Amsterdam and even Purmerend to cut their own Christmas tree here.
Choosing a Christmas tree that is still in the ground is different from pulling one out of a rack. You walk into the field, look around, picture a tree from every side and then cut it down yourself. It doesn't get any fresher: the tree is in your living room the same day.
How cutting your own works
No booking needed. At many farms you have to book a time slot to cut your own tree; not here. Come by whenever suits you during opening hours. With thousands of trees in the field you have the widest choice, and cutting it is done in no time.
-
1
Check in at the sales point
Parking is free. Tell us you want to cut or dig up your own tree, and we'll show you the right part of the field.
-
2
Borrow a saw or spade
You cut with our saw and dig with our spade. When it's quiet, one of us will walk along with you.
-
3
Choose your tree
Take your time and look at the tree from all sides. Think about which side will face the room.
-
4
Cut or dig up
Saw the trunk as low as possible, or dig the tree out of the ground with a generous root ball.
-
5
Wrap and pay
We wrap the tree in a net, drill the Easyfix hole on request, and you pay by card or in cash.
Cut or dig up
You can do either, and both cost the same as a tree from the sales point.
Dig up your own, with root ball
With the roots attached, so the tree can go into the garden after Christmas. You dig it out of the ground with a generous root ball.
- Spade on loan at the sales point
- We provide root ball cloth, a pot and a bag around the pot
- Your car stays clean, the root ball stays intact
What grows in the field
We grow trees on several fields in Naarden and Huizen, but we only sell, and you can only cut your own, at our field in the Naardereng on the Driftweg. It mainly grows blue spruce, Serbian spruce (Omorika) and Norway spruce, most up to about 225 cm. The trees have grown well this year, so there are plenty to choose from. The Nordmann firs come from fellow growers; they are ready-cut at the sales point. Small Nordmanns you can dig up yourself.
Not sure which type? See our trees for the differences between Nordmann fir, blue spruce, Serbian spruce and Norway spruce.
- Blue spruceSturdy and blue-grey, holds heavy decorations. Quite prickly.
- Serbian spruceSlim, soft two-tone needles. Fits in small spaces.
- Norway spruceFull Christmas scent and the lowest price. Buy after 5 December and it stays fine until after Christmas.
- Nordmann firReady-cut at the sales point; small sizes grow in the field for digging up.
We take care of the rest
You don't need to bring anything. Tools, packaging and wrapping are all taken care of, so the tree gets home intact and your car stays clean.
- Saw and spade on loan
- Root ball cloth, pot and a bag around the pot when you dig up
- Tree wrapped in a net
- Easyfix hole in the trunk on request
- Free parking, pay by card or in cash
Practical
The field is at the corner of Driftweg and Oud Huizerweg in Naarden, between Naarden and Huizen.
Time needed
30 to 45 minutes
On a weekday you often have the field almost to yourself.
Travel time
35 minutes from Amsterdam
Huizen, Naarden and Blaricum 10 min · Bussum and Laren 15 · Hilversum and Almere 25 · Amersfoort 30 · Amsterdam 35 · Purmerend 45. Make a day of it with a walk in the Naardereng or a visit to the fortified town of Naarden.
Questions about cutting your own
Can I cut my own Christmas tree at your farm?
Yes. In the field on the Driftweg in Naarden you choose your own tree and cut it down. You borrow a saw at the sales point. No booking needed; just come by during opening hours.
Can I dig up a Christmas tree with root ball myself?
Yes. You borrow a spade and dig the tree out of the ground with its root ball. We provide root ball cloth, a pot and a bag around the pot, so the root ball stays intact and your car stays clean.
How much does it cost to cut your own?
Cutting or digging up your own costs nothing extra: you pay the price of the tree. Guide price from € 20,00 for a small Nordmann up to 100 cm and € 22,50 for a Serbian spruce or Norway spruce. See the price list. The final prices are on the price board on site.
Which types can I cut myself?
The field mainly has blue spruce, Serbian spruce and Norway spruce. The Nordmann firs come from fellow growers and are ready-cut at the sales point; small Nordmanns you can dig up yourself.
Do I need to bring a saw?
No. You can borrow a saw and spade from us. When it's not busy, we're happy to help you cut or dig.
Do I need to book to cut my own tree?
No. Come by whenever suits you during opening hours. With thousands of trees in the field, there is always plenty of choice.
How long does cutting your own take?
Allow 30 to 45 minutes, including walking around, choosing, cutting and wrapping. The weekends before Christmas are busier than weekdays.
Can I come from Amsterdam to cut my own Christmas tree?
Yes. Our field is at the corner of Driftweg and Oud Huizerweg in Naarden, about 35 minutes by car from Amsterdam. From Huizen, Naarden and Blaricum it takes about 10 minutes, from Bussum and Laren 15, from Hilversum and Almere 25, from Amersfoort 30 and from Purmerend 45 minutes. Parking is free. Plan your route.
Come by and cut it yourself
From 27 November to 19 December. No appointment needed, free parking.
More on our site
This page is about cutting your own. The rest of the story is on the homepage.