2024 Christmas Tree Guide For NJ: Where To Find The Perfect Tree

NEW JERSEY— For some New Jersey families, the holiday season isn't complete without a trip to a local Christmas tree farm to breathe in the evergreen scent and select the perfect one to bring home.

There are more than 16,000 Christmas tree farms in the United States, stretching over 292,050 acres, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Larger tree farms control about 75 percent of the supply, but if you’re interested in supporting a local business this holiday season, there are dozens of local and family-owned places to chop or pick out a tree around the Garden State.

The New Jersey Christmas Tree Growers Association lists farms throughout the state, with commonly-available trees including the blue spruce, eastern white pine, and Fraser fir.

Here's a shortlist of Christmas tree farms throughout New Jersey, and a link to explore more options from local growers; some counties do not have any listings.

Atlantic

Bill's Tree Farm, Egg Harbor Township

• Call 609-641-5459 for hours and availability.

Bergen

Deepdale Farm, Mahwah.

• Opens Nov. 30, with hours 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays through Sundays until Dec. 15.

Burlington

Edwards Christmas Tree Farm, Wrightstown

• Opens Nov. 30, with hours 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays through Sundays until Dec. 8.

Cape May

Eisele’s Tree Farm, Petersburg

• Open Fridays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. (beginning Nov. 29) and Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Dec. 22.

Gloucester

Exley’s Christmas Tree Farm, Sewell and Monroeville

• The Sewell location is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. Starting on Black Friday, the Monroeville location is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday to Sunday, until Dec. 22. Family activities begin on Nov. 30 at both locations.

Hunterdon

Charlie Brown's Christmas Tree Farm, Milford

• Opens Friday, Nov. 29.

Mercer

Chris’ Tree Farm, Princeton

• Open Friday, Nov. 29 and weekends through Dec. 22. Hours are 9 a.m. to dusk, weather permitting.

Middlesex

Giamarese Farm, East Brunswick

• Open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monmouth

Woodfield Christmas Tree Plantation, Colts Neck

• Open Black Friday, then Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Morris

Hidden Pond Christmas Tree Farm, Mendham

• Open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Ocean

Yuletide Tree Farm, New Egypt

• Starting Nov. 30, open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through Dec. 23.

Passaic

Bear Swamp Farm, West Milford

• Opens Friday, Nov. 29 with weekend hours from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Salem

Gerstenbacher Christmas Tree Farm, Pittsgrove

• Open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sundays, through Dec. 18

Somerset

Wolgast Tree Farm and Apiary, Somerset

• Open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1; dates may be extended.

Sussex

Shale Hills Farm, Sussex

• Opens Friday, Nov. 29, then open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends

Warren

Woodsedge Tree Farm, Belvidere

• Opens Friday, Nov. 29 at 10 a.m.

Recent data from the American Christmas Tree Association’s 2024 Consumer Report shows 99 percent of survey respondents intend to display at least one Christmas tree in their homes this year, and among them, 22 percent will opt for a live tree.

According to PickYourOwnChristmasTree, real trees will cost about $13 a foot, depending on the type of tree. At that cost, a typical 7-foot tree would cost about $90.

Years of extreme weather — drought conditions in some parts of the country and excess moisture in others — have affected Christmas tree farms.

This year, attention is focused on the Northeast, where tree farmers are struggling under severe drought conditions that are killing off young trees and could cause future shortages.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, about a fourth of the region was in severe to extreme drought, which hits young trees especially hard. It typically takes a tree seven or eight years to grow to the desirable height for decorating.

“Christmas tree farms in the Northeast have, unfortunately, been hit with drought conditions that will impact the crop for several years to come,” American Christmas Tree Association executive director Jami Warner told CNN.

“While consumers will be able to find their Christmas trees this season, some growers in the Northeast will not be able to harvest as many trees as they have in past non-drought years,” Warner said.