Few things light up a home during the holidays quite like a real, honest-to-goodness Christmas tree. From the fresh scent of pine to the prickly branches that support ornaments oh so well, live trees have a special sort of magic that no store-bought variety can ever duplicate.
Here in the Hudson Valley, the passing of Thanksgiving kicks off the start of tree season. Whether you pine for a nine-foot showstopper you choose and chop yourself or a precut three-footer that sits lovingly on your living room table, you’ll find it all at the Valley’s evergreen farms.
Columbia County
Canaan Conifers
Where: Canaan
What you’ll find: Blue Spruce, Serbian Spruce, Engelmann Spruce, Meyers Spruce, Norway Spruce, White Spruce, Black Hills Spruce, Balsam Fir, Canaan Fir, Concolor Fir, Fraser Fir
Opening day: November 30
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Canaan Conifers is all about cut-your-own trees in Columbia County. The family-owned farm is open for weekend tree shopping Friday through Sunday starting on November 30, and mid-week appointments are available to schedule by phone call. All trees are naturally grown and priced at $10 per foot.
Dutchess County
Abel’s Trees
Where: Verbank
What you’ll find: Blue Spruce, Canaan Fir, Concolor Fir, Douglas Fir, Fraser Fir, Meyer Spruce, Norway Spruce, Serbian Spruce, White Spruce
Opening day: November 29
Beginning on Black Friday, Abel’s opens its grounds to Hudson Valleyites in search of their golden tree. The farm offers options for families who want to choose and cut their own tree and for those who prefer pre-dug and baled varieties. All trees in open fields cost $85. Bring a saw to cut the tree of your choice or take advantage of complimentary baling. The farm is open three weekends this year, with a starting date of November 29 and final date of December 15.
Battenfeld’s Christmas Tree Farm
Where: Red Hook
What you’ll find: Balsam Fir, Concolor Fir, Douglas Fir, Fraser Fir, Spruce, White Pine
Opening day: November 25
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Bring the family to Battenfield’s for a winter experience like no other. The farm is a one-stop shop for all-natural holiday decorations. Visitors can cut their own tree, order a custom wreath, and choose the perfect boxwood centerpiece without ever leaving the grounds. Stop in the Christmas Shoppe for ornaments and unique decorations while you’re there. Plus, visit with Santa on select weekends.
Evergreen Farm
Where: Wassaic
What you’ll find: Douglas Fir, Fraser Fir, Concolor Fir, Spruce
Opening day: November 29
For dreamy Douglas and Frazier firs, look to Evergreen Farm in Wassaic. The community farm, which also sells spruce trees and balsam fir wreaths, offers cutting and carrying services to anyone who requests them. Every year, the farm also donates trees through the National Trees for Troops program to make holiday magic for soldiers in their homes or at their posts.
Murphy Crest Christmas Tree Farm
Where: Amenia
What you’ll find: Balsam Fir, Douglas Fir, Concolor Fir
Opening day:Â November 29
A true choose-and-cut farm, Murphy Crest has an ample variety of sizes, ranging from bitty bushes to eight-foot toppers. Choose to cut your own tree, or have the farm’s team do it for you. Prices for all trees start at $85, and staff will bale, shake, and tie all trees to your roof for no additional charge.
Saltsman Tree Farm
Where: Rhinebeck
What you’ll find: Balsam Fir, Blue Spruce, White Spruce, Fraser Fir
Opening day: November 29
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The Saltsman-Tiberio family has been providing the Rhinebeck area with holiday trees for over 30 years, and for good reason. The farm stocks pre-cut Balsam and Fraser firs, as well as choose-and-cut blue spruce, white spruce, and Fraser fir varieties. Visit early in the season if you want to pick your own or stop by anytime to score a pre-cut tree for your home.
Solvang Christmas Tree Farm
Where: Poughkeepsie
What you’ll find: Fraser Fir, Concolor Fir, White Spruce, Norway Spruce, Meyer Spruce, Blue Spruce
Opening day: November 29
Tucked in Poughkeepsie, Solvang Tree Farm kicks off the holiday season on Black Friday with an extensive selection of cut-your-own and fresh-cut trees. On top of that, the farm has everything you need to turn your home into a winter retreat. Pick up wreaths and pine roping, then find a few table arrangements to upgrade your interior. This year, cut-your-own varieties include four spruces, while Fraser, concolor, and Douglas firs round out fresh-cut options.
Wonderland Farm
Where:Â Rhinebeck
What you’ll find: Balsam Fir, Blue Spruce, Canaan Fir, Fraser Fir
Opening day: November 23
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If you’re looking for Christmas tree experts, you’ll find them at Wonderland. For more than 30 years, the Lobotsky family has provided local families with access to cut-your-own balsam, Fraser, Canaan fir, and blue spruce trees. Wrapping and rope are free of charge, and saws are available for use on a lending basis. After you load the tree onto your car roof, take a moment to relax with a complimentary cup of hot cocoa.
Greene County
Veeder’s Tree Farm
Where: Earlton
What you’ll find: Balsam Fir, Fraser Fir, Scotch Pine, Cannan Fir, Spruce
Opening day: November 15
In the Catskills, Veeder’s Tree Farm has been planting pines since 1983, with more than 20 acres and 20,000 trees available today. Along with Christmas trees, find award-winning, handmade wreaths and novelty holiday décor at this Greene County farm. One of the earliest to open for the season, Veeder’s has already kicked off its tree-cutting festivities.
Orange County
Emmerich Tree Farm
Where: Warwick
What you’ll find: Blue Spruce, Canaan Fir, Concolor Fir, Fraser Fir, Korean Fir, Meyers Spruce, Norway Spruce, Serbian Spruce, White Pine, White Spruce
Opening day: November 29 (reservations only)
Emmerich Tree Farm kicks off the holidays early at the end of November. Visitors can opt for cut-your-own or precut trees, as well as wreaths, handmade ornaments, and so much more. Reserve your appointment online before the farm books up for the season. The farm also offers wreath-making classes this year.Â
Farmside Acres
Where: Cornwall
What you’ll find: Blue Spruce, Canaan Fir, Concolor Firs, Douglas Fir, Scotch Pine
Opening day: November 30
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Farmside Acres stocks nearly 5,000 classic trees like Douglas fir, concolor fir, blue spruce, and Norway spruce, with an emphasis on mid-range heights. Perhaps the most unique thing about the farm, however, is its longstanding commitment to the Trees for Troops program. Farmside has donated more than 3,000 trees to troops who need a little holiday pep.
Pine View Farm
Where: New Windsor
What you’ll find: Blue Spruce, Canaan Fir, Concolor Fir, Meyer Spruce, White Spruce
Opening day:Â December 7
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New Windsor’s choose-and-cut tree farm is open for just one weekend this year, so plan ahead before you make a visit. The farm stocks Canaan, concolor, and Fraser firs, along with blue, Meyer, and white spruces. Woodland trails connect the five fields to one another, so wear sturdy walking shoes in case the grounds get muddy. All customers can make use of the saws, tree carts, and baling services, while little visitors can sweeten the day with gratis candy canes and stickers.
Rocky Bar Farm
Where: Westtown
What you’ll find: Blue Spruce, Douglas Fir, White Spruce
Opening day: November 30
Rocky Bar is ready to go with choose-and-cut and precut trees for Hudson Valley visitors during the last weekend of November and the first two weekends in December. Wreaths and ornaments will also be available for purchase in case you want to do some early holiday shopping while you’re there.
Sumner’s Wintergreen Tree Farm
Where: Middletown
What you’ll find: Concolor Fir, Fraser Fir
Opening day: December 7
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Sumner’s will be open this year, selling mostly Fraser firs, with a smaller selection of concolor firs. Customers can enjoy the beautiful views through the fields while searching for the perfect tree to bring the holiday spirit into their home. The farm may only be open for one weekend, so make sure to check its Facebook page regularly for updates!
Wright Family Farm
Where: Warwick
What you’ll find: Fraser Fir, Balsam Fir
Opening day: November 29
Anyone on the hunt for classic Fraser and Balsam Firs will love the holiday shopping opportunities at Wright’s. The farm stocks everything from table-toppers to 12-footers, making it an ideal destination for apartment dwellers and homeowners alike. After you get your tree netted and strapped to your car, stick around for wreaths, garlands, and seasonal décor items.
Putnam County
Boni-Bel Farm & Country Store
Where: Brewster
Opening day: November 30
You won’t want to miss Green Chimneys’ fresh-cut Christmas trees, handmade wreaths, and gift baskets specially made to order. Shop the store all season long for local produce and presents from Hudson Valley artisans, including festive birdhouses, glass ornaments, and beautiful pottery. Hot cocoa, tea, and fresh cookies keep the store especially merry this holiday season. Plus, every purchase supports a student with special needs.
Cockburn Farm
Where: Garrison
What you’ll find: Concolor Fir, Douglas Fir, Fraser Fir
Opening day: November 29
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Nothing beats walking through gorgeous Hudson Valley scenery — unless you can add a cup of hot chocolate to the mix. Cockburn Farm is a one-stop shop for all your decorating needs, and that includes Christmas trees. Still need to get that holiday card photo taken? Sit with Santa on weekends before he heads back to the North Pole.
Rensselaer County
McDonough’s Farm
Where:Â East Greenbush
What you’ll find:Â Fraser Fir
Opening day:Â November 23
McDonough’s Farm is all about U-cut, with trees up to eight feet. Not feeling up to the challenge? The farm also offers pre-cut trees, all for $75. Make sure to get out into the field before 4 p.m. to take home your new holiday addition.
Ulster County
Balsam Ridge Christmas Tree Farm
Where: Clintondale
What you’ll find: Balsam Fir, Fraser Fir, Canaan Fir, Colorado Blue Spruce
Opening day: November 29
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Clintondale’s choose-and-cut farm lets visitors chop the tree themselves, although its staff are happy to lend a hand with the big cut. As for selection, trees include Fraser, balsam, and Canaan firs, with a limited number of Colorado blue spruces available, too. Along with cut-your-own trees, the farm stocks pre-cut premium Vermont Fraser firs to save you the hassle.
Bell’s Christmas Trees
Where: Accord
What you’ll find: Balsam Fir, Canaan Fir, Colorado Blue Spruce, Concolor Fir, Douglas Fir, Fralsam Fir, Fraser Fir, Grand Fir, Korean/Corkbark Cross, Korean Fir, Meyer Spruce, Serbian Spruce
Opening day: November 29
Bell’s lures shoppers far and wide with one of the best tree deals around this season. For $75, visitors can score any U-cut tree of their choice, plus free drilling, shaking, and baling services. If you’d rather not labor to timber your tree, opt for the $85 pre-cut option. Saws are available upon request.
Christmas Tree Lane
Where: Wallkill
What you’ll find: Blue Spruce, Black Hills Spruce, Canaan Fir, Concolor Fir, Douglas Fir, Fraser Fir, Norway Spruce, Serbian Fir, White Spruce
Opening day: November 30
Peruse a massive assortment of spruce and fir trees this holiday season. What’s more, the whole family can have fun on the farm with marshmallow roasting, the reindeer barrel train, and cup after cup of hot chocolate.
Wallkill View Farm
Where: New Paltz
What you’ll find: Douglas Fir, Fraser Fir
Opening day: November 29
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In addition to stocking farm-fresh fruit and vegetables throughout the year, Wallkill View Farm in New Paltz also sells Douglas and Fraser fir Christmas trees during the holidays. With more than 100 trees on display, everyone can find the seasonal showstopper that calls to them. Plus, if the day gets too chilly, visitors can warm up by the fire with a mug of hot chocolate. (Don’t forget to pick up a pastry from the bakery corner to go along with your cocoa!) Poinsettias and cyclamens also make great gifts.
Westchester County
Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm
Where:Â Yorktown Heights
What you’ll find:Â Fraser Fir, Douglas Fir
Opening day:Â November 30
Choose-and-cut Christmas trees can be found at Wilkens Fruit Farm starting Thanksgiving weekend as long as they last. Cut down Fraser firs yourself or grab a pre-cut one, and get your Douglas fir fast because the supply is limited this season. Reservations are required for cutting and selecting trees.
Related: Get Lit at These Hudson Valley Tree Lighting Ceremonies
