Cut Your Own Christmas Tree Farms in New Jersey

As Charlie Brown and the gang say, “Christmastime is here....” And as the gang learned, while shiny, fake trees may dazzle, there’s nothing quite like the real deal–-a pine-smelling, sap-sticky, beautiful-in-its-imperfections Christmas tree. If you’re seeking a Currier & Ives experience replete with snow-blanketed countryside, horse-drawn wagons and hot cocoa, look no further–New Jersey is the land of the Christmas tree farm!  So load the Johnny Mathis in the iPod, pack an old blanket for the car roof, and head to the countryside, where you can choose a freshly pre-cut tree, or go for the truly authentic experience of stomping through the forest, selecting and sawing your very own.

Below find a great list of locations, plus some tips for fool-proofing your trip:

1. It’s imperative that you call prior to travel–your town could be clear and cloudless at the same time that 2 feet of wet, white snowflake-y hell falls from the sky 60 miles away.

2. Some farms limit the amount of trees they sell in a season, and shut down without any website updates, so don’t pile in the car if you can't reach them by phone!

3. Many farms allow family pets on leashes, but again, call ahead to confirm.

4.  If cutting your own tree, cut as close to the ground as possible (you can always trim excess stump later.)  Place your tree in warm water as soon as it arrives home.  Then, cut an additional 1/4" off the stump before placing the tree in a stand.  Be sure your tree stump is always submerged in water, or you’ll have dried pine needles everywhere!

Stonerow Tree Farm (Branchville)
973-948-5102.
Hours: 9am-4pm Saturday-Sunday to December 11.
Special Features: Merry Moose Gift Shoppe, picnic area, marshmallow roasting, hot chocolate and refreshments.   Accept Visa, Mastercard and Discover.

Holiday Tree Farms (Augusta)
973-948-7488
Hours: 9am-5pm, Friday-Sunday until December 17.
Special Features: Refreshments in the barn including hot apple cider, cocoa, and cookies. Christmas Shop. Flat rate of $61 for all trees. Cut-your-own or let them cut it for you.  No debit or credit cards accepted.

Evergreen Farms (Lebanon)
908-236-9550
Hours: 9am-5pm Saturday-Sunday, through December 18th
Special features: Hot apple cider and cookies; Trees range from 5'-9' and cost $10./ft.  Greenery, wreaths and gift shop.  Helpers will cut, bale and tie your tree to your car for you.

Edwards Christmas Tree Farm (Wrightstown)
609-758-7729
Hours: 7 days a week, 9 am-4:30 pm through December 24th
Special features: Choose-and-cut-your-own, or balled-and-burlapped live trees available.  (Free cutting service available to those needing assistance.) Hand-made quilted ornaments, country crafts, roping and greenery for sale.  Wreaths freshly made to your specifications.

Wyckoff's Tree Farm (Belvidere)
908-475-4508
Hours: 7 days a week, 8am-4:30pm through December 24th
Special features: Country holiday shop (open weekends only) filled with wreaths, kissing balls, ornaments and gifts. Cut-your-own trees and pre-cut trees.  Tree Drilling offered for pin tree stands. Cash and personal checks accepted.  Visa and Mastercard accepted weekends only.
 
Shale Hills Farm (Sussex)
973-875-4231
Hours: 9:30 am until dark Saturday/Sunday
Special features: Farm animals residing in a restored 19th-century heated barn, Wildlife sanctuary (Wild Turkey, Red Fox, Grey Heron, Red-Tailed Hawk, Canada Geese, Osprey and White Tailed Deer–some friendly enough to pet.); Refreshments including hot dogs, muffins, chips, hot cocoa, etc at Candy Cane Cottage.  Santa stops by several times a day. All trees $75.  Checks accepted, no credit cards.

Anne-Ellen Christmas Tree Farm & Shop (Manalapan)
732-786-9277
Hours: Daily 9am-8pm through December 23rd.
Special features: Gift and ornament shop including while-you-wait ornament personalization. Santa visits on weekends.  Hot cocoa and cookies available.  Farm animals to view.  Cut-your-own and pre-cut trees available beginning at $35.00. Cash, Mastercard and Visa accepted.

Simonson Farms (Cranbury)
609-799-0140
Hours:  Noon-7pm Monday-Friday (subject to weather,) 9am-6pm Saturday/Sunday (Cut-your-own fields close at nightfall.) Christmas Shoppe.  Prices start at $35 for cut-your-own, $8/ft. for fresh pre-cut.

Barclay's Tree Farm (Cranbury)
609-799-1855
Hours: 9am-5pm, Saturday/Sunday through Christmas
Special features: Flat rate:  $45. for trees up to 9ft., over 9 ft. $70. Free assistance with cutting, carrying, loading, and tying-down trees.
 
Cherryville Farms (Flemington)
908-806-4580
Hours: 9am-dark, Saturday/Sunday through Christmas eve.
Special features: Cut-your-own or they can cut for you.  Wreaths, crafts and refreshments available. Prices range from $36 to $76.

Didn’t find a farm near you? Visit the NJ Christmas Tree Growers Association for additional locations!  

For holiday gift ideas check out our Holiday Gift Guide, and for holiday fun see our Holiday Guide.