Mom to Mom: Motherhood, Madness & Merlot by Ann Meyers Piccirillo: Already Cut Christmas Trees in Bergen County

Friday, December 2, 2011

Where to Cut Your Own Christmas Tree in New Jersey

I'm still not sure how our marriage survived this adventure

There are two types of Christmas tree people: those who prefer to buy at garden centers and local stands, and those who like the adventure of cutting their own.

If you are a "cut-your-own" type of person, or think you might be if given a saw and permission, here are the tried and true places in New Jersey where you can release your inner-yuletide lumberjack.

Rest assured. Almost all cut-your-own Christmas tree farms will cut them for you. Advice: bring gardening gloves to wear because the needles will pinch, and remember that most farms accept cash only.

Dixiedale Farms: Family owned and operated since 1911, Dixiedale farms is a short ride from Bergen County. Dixiedale never disappoints. The town of Chester is also a great place to grab a bite to eat or a cup of hot chocolate. Open Saturday & Sunday 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Dixiedale Farms is located at 347 Hillside Ave & River Road, Chatham, NJ

Hidden Pond Tree Farm: Hidden Pond Tree Farm makes cutting your own tree a family even you'll remember forever. Aside from roaming the farm looking for the perfect tree, they offer free hot chocolate and marshmallows that the children can roast over an open fire. There's nothing like watching the sun set while roasting marshmallows. Open daily (except Mondays) 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Hidden Pond Tree Farm is located at 4 West Field Road, Mendham, NJ

The Village Tree Farm: Open weekends. To make the day even more fun for the kids The Village Farm is offering hay rides pulled by an antique tractor, cookies, candy canes and while supplies last a free coloring book! This year they will also be offering photography service where your pets and children can have their picture taken with two of Santa's Reindeer!

The Village Tree Farm is located at 8 Meyersville Road, Green Village, NJ

Shale Hill Christmas Tree Farm: Open weekends through Christmas from 9:30 a.m. to dark. All trees are $75 plus tax--cash or check only. Cut Your Own Pines, Spruces and Firs, NJ State Fair Award Winning Trees. Adorable farm animals, tasty refreshments, the “REAL” Santa Claus. Christmas movies in the hayloft!

Shale Hill Christmas Tree Farm, 98 Pond School Road, Sussex, NJ

Plut’s Christmas Tree Farm: Family-owned and operated since 2000, Plut’s is open Wednesday and Thursday 10 a.m.–9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 9 a.m.–9 p.m., and Sunday 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Trees start at $35. After cutting your tree visit the gift shop.

Plut’s Christmas Tree Farm, Rt 31, Washington, NJ (2-1/2 miles south of the intersection of Routes 57 and 31)

Wyckoff’s Tree Farm: Family owned since 1839, Wyckoff’s Tree Farm has been featured in the NY Times. Open daily 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. You will find an ample supply of both cut-your-own and fresh cut trees available. Wyckoff’s Farm starts the season with approximately 5,000 trees available including: Douglas Fir, Fraser Fir, Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce & Concolor Fir. Wyckoff’s also has a gift shop that features wreathes and ornaments.

Wyckoff’s Tree Farm, 249 Country Road, Belvidere, NJ

Jolly Holly Christmas Tree Farm: All trees $48 no matter what size. Open weekends through December 18^th 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Santa comes to visit!

Jolly Holly Christmas Tree Farm, 56 Maple Lane, Blairstown, NJ

Stonerow Tree Farm: All trees $50. Open weekends through December 11^th. Stonerow also has the Merry Moose Gift Shop where you can find all kinds of holiday decorations and gift ideas.

Stonerow Tree Farm, 242 Wykertown Road, Branchville, NJ

Holiday Tree Farm: Open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through December 17 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. All trees $61 regardless of type or size. The Christmas Shoppe offers holiday decorations, gifts, and refreshments.

Holiday Tree Farm, 44 Augusta Hill Road, Augusta, NJ

Anne Ellen Tree Farm & Shoppe: Open daily from 9 a.m.–8 p.m. through December 23^rd. Over 100 acres of trees to choose from, farm animals, and Santa visits on the weekends! Anne Ellen Tree Farm is also an ideal place to grab a cup of hot chocolate and a cookie and have a picnic with the family. Anne Ellen’s also has a holiday shoppe that will personalize your ornaments while you wait.

Anne Ellen Tree Farm & Shoppe, 114 Daum Road, Manalapan, NJ

Simonson Farm: Open daily through Dec. 23.M-F: 12 p.m.- 7 p.m. and weekends 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Featured on CNBC, Simonson Farm has two fields with over 50 acres of trees to choose from. All U-Cut White Pine $10 off. Retail Lot White Pine $6/ft. Wagon rides and horse-drawn carriage rides available; barbecue sandwiches for sale on weekends. Simonson Farm has a Holiday Shoppe that features wreaths and other holiday gifts.

Simonson Farm, 118 Dey Road, Cranbury, NJ

Cherryville Farms: Open weekends 9 a.m. to dark through Dec. 24. Cherryville Farms is a family-run farm that offers the best in cut your own trees. They also offer handmade wreaths and crafts for sale. Hot chocolate provided with a tree purchase. Cash or personal check only.

Cherryville Farms, 352 Quakertown Road, Pittstown, NJ

Perfect Christmas Tree Farm: Perfect Christmas Tree Farm is owned and run by John and Cynthia Curtis, the farmer and his wife. As part of the William Penn Land Grant of 1681, this historic 45-acre farm has always been a farm, preserving this special place as a working farm. You can take a hayride out to the fields or walk across the covered bridge to find the perfect tree. Watch wreaths being made and decorated in the barn and then come inside & warm up by the fire in the Gift Shop. Children find Santa’s Box – a special trunk filled with small toys for good boys and girls, irresistible. Free trees for churches.

Perfect Christmas Tree Farm, 999 U.S. 22, Phillipsburg, NJ

Spruce Goose Farm: Open daily from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Spruce Goose Farm is a family-owned farm. Ride the wagon into the fields to cut your tree and then visit the gift shop.

Spruce Goose Farm, 194 Bordentown-Georgetown Road(Rt 545)
Chesterfield, NJ

The Evergreen Farm: Open weekends through Christmas 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Family-owned and operated, The Evergreen Farm has a number of different types of Christmas trees all in the 6 to 9 foot range. Cider and cookies await as you pick your perfect tree.

The Evergreen Farm, 4 Bass Lane, Lebanon, NJ

Friday, December 10, 2010

WHERE TO BUY CHRISTMAS TREES IN BERGEN COUNTY

Why cut your own when someone else can cut your own for you?

So, the idea of cutting down your own tree has either lost its allure, or you never seriously considered it in the first place. You’re in luck. Here are some places in Bergen County where you can get the perfect tree already cut. Some of them even deliver! I’ve listed all places that over the years I’ve bought trees from and highly recommend.

Willow Run, One County Road, Cresskill:
http://willowrungardencenter.com/

I visit Willow Run year round, but it’s this time of year when they really outdo themselves. They're one of the last (what I would call) Christmas stores. Not only do they have a large assortment of trees, but it’s a magical place to take the kids. There’s a large interior room lined with beautifully decorated trees. And every ornament that appears on the tree is for sale in boxes beneath it. There’s also a room with every imaginable kind of stringed light (including bubble lights), Christmas balls, decorations for outside the house, nativity sets, stockings, smaller Christmas trees, and so much more. If you like the light up Christmas villages then you’ll love the displays they have. If you like to collect these villages, Willow Run has a great selection and some great discounts, especially on discontinued pieces.

The most beautiful ornaments in those boxes and they're all 50% off the day after Christmas!

In addition to the freshly cut trees outside there’s live animals the kids can feed.

It isn't really Christmas until you've fed a llama.

A barn that has all kinds of mechanical Santas, elves, reindeer, and more.

A complete throwback to when you were young.

A child-sized Christmas village that has three houses where the kids can peer into the windows and watch life-sized Santas, Mrs. Claus, Mickey Mouse and more.

Kids will love what they see when they look inside the windows of these Christmas Cottages!

You know what I love MOST about Willow Run? The day after Christmas almost everything is 50% off including the artificial trees. I wait all year for that sale.

Hirams, 1345 Palisade Avenue, Fort Lee:

Hiram's has the most perfect and full trees. Also, they deliver!

Okay, so Hiram’s isn’t actually selling Christmas Trees with their hot dogs, but they are allowing trees to be sold in their lot. This is the first time that trees are being sold at Hiram’s, but if you remember the Christmas Tree lot by Bridge Plaza back in the ‘70’s and ‘80’s, then you know the trees because the same guys are selling them. Disclaimer: I’m very partial because the guys selling the trees are local boys I grew up with in Fort Lee--Vinny & John. They have a nice selection of trees to choose from and they DELIVER. They also have a collection box for toy donations that will be delivered to needy children for Christmas. And, once you pick your tree you can go into Hiram’s and have one or two of their famous hot dogs (and a beer)!

Leonia Sports Boosters, Broad Ave (across from Rec Center), Leonia:

Nothing better than supporting a good cause.

Not only can you buy a tree here, but the proceeds are going to support Leonia’s sports teams. What a great way to give! All of the people working there are volunteers who every year give so much of their time so that the kids can benefit. This is the first year that Sports Boosters are selling on Broad Avenue; for years they sold in Wood Park. Again, since I now live in Leonia, my son is active in sports, and I know most of the volunteers, I’m really partial to this group! I also don’t mind spending money when I know who’s benefitting. And I can think of nothing better—buying a great tree and donating money to such a great program!

Metropolitan Plants, 2125 Fletcher Ave, Fort Lee:

http://www.metroplantexchange.com/

Go to their Facebook Page and print a $10 off coupon!

Metropolitan has been selling fresh Christmas Trees for almost as long as I can remember. They have a very large selection of trees from which to choose from and no doubt, their price for a standard Douglas Fir is unbelievable. Metro has been running coupons for $10 off in the local newspapers so check them before you go.

The Farm, 515 Piermont Road, Closter:

http://www.thefarmincloster.com/index1.html

The wood burning fire will put you in the Christmas Spirit as you look for a tree!

One of the last of the “real” farms in our end of Bergen County. Compared to other places, The Farm doesn’t have a huge selection of trees, but what they do have is fresh and healthy. They also offer wreaths, poinsettias, and some decorations. Also, you can go inside the farm stand and choose from whatever is in season, and they have a bakery that is so good! Home-made cider donuts, pies, cakes, cookies…you can’t possibly leave there without buying something from their bakery.

Matera’s: 514 Broad Ave, Ridgefield:

Right off Broad Avenue in Ridgefield is a great little secret: Matera’s. I love Matera’s year-round for their flowers and mulch, but at Christmas they offer great deals. For instance, Douglas Firs for only $29.95. And I went to grammar school with the lovely Matera sisters, so we’ve known about this great little secret for a long time. Not that I’m dating myself.

Al D’s, 174 Sedore Ave, Fairview:

Another great little spot is Al D’s. In addition to Christmas Trees, Al D’s has a beautiful selection of grave blankets that can be custom made. It seems that almost everyone I know gets their Christmas grave blankets from Al D.

Here are some more places in Bergen County recommended by moms:

Karadontes Nurseries, 48 Grand Ave, Palisade Park