Where To Cut A Christmas Tree In Berkeley

BERKELEY, NJ — It’s still early, but if you’re planning to put up a live Christmas tree this year, it’s a good idea to scope out what will be available from Berkeley area tree growers.

Here are a few places to start:

Choose and cut:

• Lone Silo Farm, 141 Brynmore Rd., New Egypt
• Bullock Farms, 83 Emleys Hl Rd., Cream Ridge
• Spruce Goose Christmas Tree Farm, 194 Bordentown Georgetown Rd., Chesterfield
• Chesterfield Christmas Trees, 193 Crosswicks Chesterfield Rd, Chesterfield
• Lazy Susan Tree Farm, 184 Sharon Rd., Robbinsville
• Foster's Holly Ridge Tree Farm, 116 S. Chew Rd., Hammonton

Garden center:

• Moore's Farm Market, 66 Atlantic City Blvd., Bayville
• Big Woods Farm and Nursery, 227 Brynmor Rd., New Egypt

Last year, the median price for trees purchased directly from a grower was about $93, according to PickYourOwnChristmasTree.org. About 26 million live trees were sold last year, compared to 27.4 million in 2018.

A survey by the American Christmas Tree Association, an industry trade group, shows that of the 94 percent of Americans who plan to put up a Christmas tree this year, 23 percent will display a live tree.

Last year, live tree prices increased about 10 percent, largely due to inflation and drought, according to industry experts.

Years of extreme weather — drought conditions in some parts of the country and excess moisture in others — are expected to translate to slightly higher 2023 Christmas tree prices, according to a report from Country Folks Grower, a business-to-business publication serving fresh market and ornamental crops.

“A lot can happen in a half dozen years that can change the outlook for a Christmas tree crop from one season to the next,” the report said. “Farmers will be facing challenges in the 2023 Christmas tree season brought about by developments over the past several years.”

At any given moment, about 350 million Christmas trees are growing on tree farms across the country.

It typically takes a tree between six and eight years to grow to the desirable height for decorating. Large trees — those 7 feet and taller — may be in short supply because sales of smaller trees have been strong in recent years, the report said. Also, people may need to settle for a different species than they’re accustomed to buying.